Tunisia's Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali announced his resignation on Tuesday after failing to put together a government of technocrats. This puts paid to all hopes of the governmental crisis being resolved quickly, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera fears: » more

Tunisia's Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali announced his resignation on Tuesday after failing to put together a government of technocrats. This puts paid to all hopes of the governmental crisis being resolved quickly, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera fears: "One after another, the men who have tried to save Tunisia from chaos are falling. … Jebali has lost his impossible battle against the power-hungry leader of the Islamic Ennahda party, Rashid al-Ghannushi. Jebali, a co-founder of the Islamic movement, had realised that they wouldn't get very far with the 'prayer bump' on their foreheads alone and that a concept for reform was needed. But al-Ghannushi rejected the idea. Giving up power was out of the question for Ennahda. The Jasmin Revolution may, as Jebali says, not have failed, but it is bearing little fruit two years after the revolts."

The assasination of opposition politician Chokri Belaid has triggered protests, some of them violent, against the government of the Islamist Ennahda party. Commentators say the ... » more

The assasination of opposition politician Chokri Belaid has triggered protests, some of them violent, against the government of the Islamist Ennahda party. Commentators say the unrest poses a risk to the country's economic recovery but still believe in the new leadership's capacity for democracy.

Tunisia's ruling party Ennahda rejected Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali's initiative for dissolving the government and forming a cabinet of technocrats on Thursday. Jebali's proposal can nonetheless be seen as a positive sight, the liberal daily La Stampa : » more

Tunisia's ruling party Ennahda rejected Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali's initiative for dissolving the government and forming a cabinet of technocrats on Thursday. Jebali's proposal can nonetheless be seen as a positive sight, the liberal daily La Stampa : "It's true that the Arab Spring is taking its time to bear fruit. ... But besides the advance of the Islamists and the setback suffered by the democrats there are also some positive signs in the countries where the revolts broke out. The mass protests in Tunis, Sidi Bouzid and Monastir, for example, which have forced government circles to take action. ... Revolutions break out and then start stalling, history has shown this. The French Revolution took 82 years, including two years of the Jacobin reign of terror, two coups and a long phase of restoration before it became an example for democracy."

Tunisia is the democratic laboratory of the Arab World, the regional paper La République des Pyrénées writes: » more

Tunisia is the democratic laboratory of the Arab World, the regional paper La République des Pyrénées writes: "All the Cassandras of this world have never stopped promising the end of romantic illusions and the advent of a theocracy along Iranian lines. ... But what's happening in Tunisia puts the lie to their prophesies. Because the country is not just the theatre of violent protests, it is - far more than any other Arab country - the laboratory of a new stage in the Arab revolutions. Of course it's to be hoped that this won't end in a bloodbath or civil war, although this can't be ruled out! ... What is at stake is the future of democracy on Islamic territory, and the viability of a government that had already been questioned before Chokri Belaid's assassination. This political murder served to hasten the prime minister's decision [to dissolve the government]."

The huge frustration of the citizens of Tunisia is understandable given that the legacy of the country's past poses a great obstacle to political change, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung contends: » more

The huge frustration of the citizens of Tunisia is understandable given that the legacy of the country's past poses a great obstacle to political change, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung contends: "The protests against the new rulers continue in all of the states of the region because the political transition is taking longer than voters can bear. The legacy of the past dictatorships weighs too heavily on these countries. The economies of the autocrats cannot be reformed without social cuts, the new leaders are also becoming corrupt, and the masses can't take any more cuts. If it comes to a second uprising, it will be a revolution of hunger. In addition the conflict between the Islamists and the secular-minded continues to grow. The bearded ones were radicalised in the jails of the former regime. They resisted torture and don't want to share power now - even though this is the basis of democracy. Until the Islamists understand that, the calls for a second revolution will not fade."

Whether the new rulers in Tunisia and Egypt will be able to ensure democratic stability depends on their economic policies, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse argues: » more

Whether the new rulers in Tunisia and Egypt will be able to ensure democratic stability depends on their economic policies, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse argues: "The new rulers in Tunis and Cairo were elected. A large majority of the population supports them. How long this will last depends on whether they manage to get the economy going and create jobs. The street clashes in Tunis and Cairo are counter-productive. Violence and instability frighten away the foreign investors and tourists. An end to international tourism would fit in well with the concept of certain Salafist groups. ... However Ennahda and the Muslim Brothers are more pragmatic, and will do all they can to ensure that the tourist industry doesn't collapse. How far this pragmatism goes will become clear at the latest with the next elections. Then the new rulers will be put to the test because they will have to prove that they are willing to allow a fair election - and if necessary accept defeat."

Chokri Belaid, the leader of the left-wing opposition in Tunisia, was shot dead on Wednesday morning as he left his home. The Islamist government must now move quickly to save democracy in the country, the left-liberal daily El País urges: » more

Chokri Belaid, the leader of the left-wing opposition in Tunisia, was shot dead on Wednesday morning as he left his home. The Islamist government must now move quickly to save democracy in the country, the left-liberal daily El País urges: "The assassination of Chokri Belaid - a left-wing leader and lawyer known for his open opposition to radical Islamism - demonstrates that the situation in Tunisia has reached a critical point. The country where the Arab Spring was born two years ago and where even under Ben Ali's dictatorship the citizens enjoyed certain freedoms is now running the risk of a brutal step backwards. ... The Tunisian government faces an inescapable challenge: it must show its commitment to democracy above any other ideology or religion. This should include credible measures against the violent Salafists. And it must lead to a constitution that is acceptable to society as a whole."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday became the first Iranian head of state to set foot on Egyptian soil for the last 30 years. However what form increased cooperation between the two countries could take remains uncertain, the liberal daily Público comments: » more

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday became the first Iranian head of state to set foot on Egyptian soil for the last 30 years. However what form increased cooperation between the two countries could take remains uncertain, the liberal daily Público comments: "Iran, which is building a nuclear bomb and supports Hamas and Hezbollah in the fight against Israel, is now trying to turn the Arab Spring, which weakened Tehran's role in the Middle East, to its own advantage. But there are limits that [Egyptian President] Morsi won't overstep. ... It is therefore difficult to predict what course this rapprochement will take. It may arise from the need to control the inevitable change of regime in Syria. And it could be productive if Morsi knows how to resist Ahmadinejad's belligerent temptation. If not, the whole balance in the region would be at stake."

The civil war in Syria has claimed the lives of 60,000 people, according to a UN report published on Wednesday. That is a far greater number of victims than had so far been assumed. A terrible reality, columnist Bert Wagendorp writes in the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: » more

The civil war in Syria has claimed the lives of 60,000 people, according to a UN report published on Wednesday. That is a far greater number of victims than had so far been assumed. A terrible reality, columnist Bert Wagendorp writes in the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "Last Monday Lakhdar Brahimi, the Algerian UN envoy for the Syrian crisis, spoke to Assad. Unfortunately he refused to comment on what was said between them. One wants to know the details of such a meeting. What did Assad say? What did he look like? Was there a trace of desperation in his eyes, of fear or madness? … How does an intelligent man look on his devastated country and the tens of thousands of victims in the knowledge that he himself is to blame? Does he realise that his end is inescapable? That he has probably lost the support of the Russians? Or has the madness long since suppressed reality? Nowhere else in the Middle East has the hope instilled by the Arab Spring died as often and as cruelly as in Syria."

The past year was marked by the violent oppression of the Arab Spring of 2011, French philosopher André Glucksmann writes in the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera citing Syria as an example: » more

The past year was marked by the violent oppression of the Arab Spring of 2011, French philosopher André Glucksmann writes in the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera citing Syria as an example: "The bloodshed in Syria is the climax of a general counter-revolution that aims to quell the ongoing struggle for freedom. Damascus is following the example of the Iranian ayatollahs, but the Syrian regime is behaving more cruelly and moreover securing the diplomatic and military support of Russia and China. The alliance of autocratic powers against the people's emancipation is advancing. ... The Europeans are making the huge mistake of passively standing by and watching the spectacle of the restoration and wildfire in Syria. Meanwhile the Kremlin, Beijing and Tehran are spurring Assad on to crush his people's desire for freedom because they're afraid their own citizens, their neighbours, the whole planet could be gripped by the same desire. ... What will the world order of tomorrow look like? Between the rebellion of the people and the death that falls from the sky, our fate will be decided in Damascus."

After several days of protest Egypt's president Mohammed Mursi announced on Sunday that he would withdraw a decree giving him special powers but he is sticking to his plan of holding a referendum on an Islamist-leaning draft constitution. The West should exert more pressure on the president, the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung urges: » more

After several days of protest Egypt's president Mohammed Mursi announced on Sunday that he would withdraw a decree giving him special powers but he is sticking to his plan of holding a referendum on an Islamist-leaning draft constitution. The West should exert more pressure on the president, the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung urges: "It may be that this is just a stumble on the rocky path that leads to a state which abides by the constitutional powers. An Egypt where all citizens are respected, regardless of their religious and political beliefs. It's entirely possible that Mursi's motives are honourable and that he's just manoeuvring because he's aware of the danger of being toppled. ... But what if this is not the case? Democracy consists of far more than simply holding elections. The West would do well to emphatically remind Mursi, the Muslim Brothers and the security apparatus of this fact."

Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi has proved unable to rule his country, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung writes, fearing that the army may return to fill the void: » more

Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi has proved unable to rule his country, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung writes, fearing that the army may return to fill the void: "First he divides the country with his Sharia-saturated draft constitution. Then he sidelines the tenacious judiciary. Now he looks on as his supporters and opponents go at each other's throats like Medieval peasant warriors. ... The only thing that the Muslim Brother functionary-cum head of state has been able to demonstrate is his inability to have a conciliating impact on his 85 million fellow citizens. ... Right now no side can be relied on to make concessions, both opposition and the government have put their faith in the street. The tanks of the palace guard that have taken up position in Cairo are a reminder of Egypt's third column: the army. If it returns, the entire political experiment in Egypt could quickly come to an end - for the Islamists and liberals alike."

The fact that the military has intervened in Egypt's power struggle for the first time worries the liberal daily La Stampa: » more

The fact that the military has intervened in Egypt's power struggle for the first time worries the liberal daily La Stampa: "This military intervention ordered by the president could mean that Mursi has the armed forces under his control and can rely on their loyalty. But it can't be ruled out that he is mistaken, and that if the situation escalates the military will revert to an old tradition that goes far back beyond [the times of ex-presidents] Mubarak, Sadat and even Nasser and is deeply rooted in the country's past. It could take on the role of 'saviour of the fatherland' and impose its own solution on the divided Egypt at Tahrir Square. Particularly since this would be the last opportunity for the military to pull the strings once more."

The West must support the secular camp in Egypt, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse demands in view of the clashes between Mursi's supporters and detractors: » more

The West must support the secular camp in Egypt, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse demands in view of the clashes between Mursi's supporters and detractors: "In the streets of Cairo and Alexandria we are seeing impressive proof of how peace-loving citizens won't allow themselves to be gagged. Whether this is a final surge before a long Islamist night sets in or the beginning of a new movement remains to be seen. It is at least a hopeful sign that the secular forces are still capable of signalling they are alive and kicking in this way. It therefore seems all the more shameful that the West is abandoning them to their fate. The politicians from Brussels to Washington like to say that taking sides would be counter-productive. But they are simply trying to conceal their moral bankruptcy. The EU and the US have the power to stipulate conditions. If Mursi disregards the principles of the rule of law, the money supply should be cut off."

The political conflict in Egypt goes beyond a simple confrontation between the supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and the old regime, the liberal daily Público points out: » more

The political conflict in Egypt goes beyond a simple confrontation between the supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and the old regime, the liberal daily Público points out: "When President Mursi took over the power in the country in what resembled a coup and hastily planned a referendum, everything seemed to be going according to the rules of the old regime. But perhaps this is an oversimplification. Many saw 'Mursi's coup' as a step forwards to oust the established powers of the old regime, and above all the judges. … The political power struggle in Egypt is no longer a showdown between the Brotherhood and the old Mubarak supporters. A new situation has emerged: freedom and secularism are returning in a revolutionary process that had seemed to be firmly in the grip of the Islamists. … No matter what the outcome of this new phase, Egyptian society has mobilised to defend the rules of democracy."

The escalation of the protests in Cairo shows that Egypt has not yet managed to cast off its dictatorial past, writes the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza: » more

The escalation of the protests in Cairo shows that Egypt has not yet managed to cast off its dictatorial past, writes the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza: "The current images from Cairo could easily be taken for those of two years ago. 'Bread, freedom and human dignity!' hundreds of thousands of Egyptians demanded on Tahrir Square back then. 'Irhal' (Go away!) they screamed at the despised dictator Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled the country with an iron fist for almost three decades. … They fought for proper voting rights - and demanded more than empty promises. They fought for peace and security to replace the fear of the police and state power. They fought for the right to work and a decent salary instead of a future without prospects. But the effects of this 'Lotus revolution' have been a huge disappointment for the Egyptians."

Mursi's method - a well-organised party administrates an authoritarian democracy - could set a precedent for the entire region, the liberal weekly Die Zeit warns, urging Europe to act with caution: » more

Mursi's method - a well-organised party administrates an authoritarian democracy - could set a precedent for the entire region, the liberal weekly Die Zeit warns, urging Europe to act with caution: "It should not take the sledgehammer approach because any intervention in the Middle East is perceived as neo-colonial behaviour. Europe must make it clear that it wants to promote freedom and only freedom - including the freedom of those who have different political or religious beliefs. As far as Turkey is concerned we have the progress reports of the European Union. The last one had Erdoğan frothing at the mouth. And so it should have. And Mursi? When the Egyptian president comes to Berlin next spring, the main topic of discussion must be freedom. He knows that the EU has promised Egypt five billion euros. And he also knows that Europe won't deliver that amount if Egypt remains unfree. In the meantime the proviso is not to bury anything that's still alive."

President Mursi's political course could bring about Egypt's economic collapse, the liberal-conservative business paper Il Sole 24 Ore fears: » more

President Mursi's political course could bring about Egypt's economic collapse, the liberal-conservative business paper Il Sole 24 Ore fears: "Egypt is divided and there is no sign of a compromise. The future of its state institutions is at stake. Times is running out; collapse is not far off. The stability of the country is also threatened by economic disaster. ... The International Monetary Fund has decided to grant the government 4.8 billion dollars in loans. ... But in view of the institutional and political chaos the money is hardly likely to reach its destination - bolstering the budget, which is running a major deficit. A mediation is nowhere to be seen, on the contrary, Mursi is in a hurry. But the 234 articles of his speedily drawn-up constitution resemble too much the version of this central document that was valid when Hosni Mubarak was still in power."

The current conflict in Egypt demonstrates that the Islamists are the true winners of the revolution, the conservative Sunday paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung writes. "Two ... » more

The current conflict in Egypt demonstrates that the Islamists are the true winners of the revolution, the conservative Sunday paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung writes. "Two years after Mubarak's fall the winner is a representative of the social formation that joined the protests against the autocratic leader late in the day and always behaved strategically after that. ... Right from the start the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood have shown that when push comes to shove they will side with the stronger party - to secure the biggest slice of the pie for themselves. For that reason they negotiated both with Mubarak's functionaries and the generals of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces so hated by the revolutionaries. ... After Mubarak's fall the enemy has remained the same for the poorest of the poor. It is the state repression apparatus to which even after February 2011 dozens upon dozens of protesters have fallen victim."

Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi is playing with fire in the current internal political crisis, the liberal daily Göteborgs-Posten admonishes: » more

Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi is playing with fire in the current internal political crisis, the liberal daily Göteborgs-Posten admonishes: "If the Muslim Brotherhood continues to ignore the resistance, it risks escalating the tensions in the country. Former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak had the support of the armed forces, but the entire nation rose up against him. With the onset of the Arab Spring in the Nile Delta, he was toppled from power by a united population consisting of Christians, Islamists and Liberals. The Brotherhood's regime may have the support of half the population, but that doesn't make the situation any easier. On the contrary, the increasingly obvious polarisation is tearing society apart. And Mursi is assuming more and more powers to withstand the storm. The path he has taken is extremely perilous."

Two important Egyptian courts stopped work on Thursday in a bid to move President Mohammed Mursi to repeal his controversial decrees. Several judges accused him of disempowering the judiciary. The president, the judiciary and the opposition should work together to prevent an escalation of the conflict, the online edition of the liberal daily Die Zeit advises: » more

Two important Egyptian courts stopped work on Thursday in a bid to move President Mohammed Mursi to repeal his controversial decrees. Several judges accused him of disempowering the judiciary. The president, the judiciary and the opposition should work together to prevent an escalation of the conflict, the online edition of the liberal daily Die Zeit advises: "The Supreme Judicial Council has already built a golden bridge for Mursi when it proposed limiting his decrees to concrete protection for the Constituent Assembly and the upper house of parliament. Secular powers and churches, in turn, could stop boycotting the Constituent Assembly if they were given an effective vetoing minority against the desire of the all-powerful majority to introduce Sharia law. And as a sign of good will a certain number of Islamist deputies could also lay down their mandates in favour of secular successors. Or President Mursi could add two dozen constitutional experts to the 100-head body, pushing the Islamic predominance below the two-thirds threshold."

Hundreds of thousands of protesters demonstrated once again on Wednesday against the extension of President Mohammed Mursi's powers. If he doesn't withdraw his decrees he risks dividing the country, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad warns: » more

Hundreds of thousands of protesters demonstrated once again on Wednesday against the extension of President Mohammed Mursi's powers. If he doesn't withdraw his decrees he risks dividing the country, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad warns: "The way in which Mursi is attempting to get the process for the much-needed new constitution under way is counter-productive and dangerous. According to Egyptian human rights organisations the president is setting up 'a new dictatorship' - and his statements that the measures are only temporary have worried many Egyptians. ... Mursi has overestimated his power base and lost much trust both at home and abroad, where his mediation on the ceasefire in Gaza recently scored him points. And he has unintentionally united the opposition that had been divided until now. ... Mursi must now do all he can to prevent Egypt from becoming even more divided. For that he needs the opposition, which means he must retract his decrees."

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have been demonstrating against President Mursi on Cairo's Tahrir Square since Tuesday, and one man has been killed in clashes with the police. The West must help curb Mursi's authoritarian tendencies, the conservative daily Die Welt demands: » more

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have been demonstrating against President Mursi on Cairo's Tahrir Square since Tuesday, and one man has been killed in clashes with the police. The West must help curb Mursi's authoritarian tendencies, the conservative daily Die Welt demands: "Mursi says he wants to protect the achievements of the revolution from the judiciary and the bureaucracy, which are full of Mubarak supporters. That is not completely wrong. But when you see how consistently the Muslim Brothers are trying to fill key posts with their own people, you certainly don't get the impression that the goal is to establish pluralism. ... For that reason it is now high time, after the effusive praise for Mursi's mediation in the Gaza crisis, for the West to strike a new tone. After their initial hesitation Europe and America helped to depose a long-standing pro-Western dictator to allow the country to make a new democratic start. ... But exchanging a pro-Western dictator for an anti-Western autocrat would mean limiting Egypt's prospects for the future."

Protests against Mohammed Mursi spread in Egypt over the weekend. On Wednesday the president passed several decrees making his decisions legally unassailable. The opposition will not be able to achieve much here, the liberal daily Kurier fears, particularly since the US is giving Mursi its support: » more

Protests against Mohammed Mursi spread in Egypt over the weekend. On Wednesday the president passed several decrees making his decisions legally unassailable. The opposition will not be able to achieve much here, the liberal daily Kurier fears, particularly since the US is giving Mursi its support: "The Muslim Brothers reacted uncompromisingly to the protests - with police power and tear gas ... Who can stop them? No one, really. Seventy percent of those entitled to vote in the parliamentary elections cast their ballots in favour of the Muslim Brothers or the even more radical Salafists. So it's clear where the broad majority stands. And for the US, Mursi is indispensable in the Middle East conflict. Yes, Cairo is dependent on financial aid from Washington, but as long as Mursi doesn't turn Egypt into an Islamic theocracy and continues to play a constructive role in the Middle East cauldron, political aspects will remain secondary for the US. That's how it was under Mubarak, and that's how things stand with Mursi now."

The Islamist parties and movements that came to power after the Arab Spring will sooner or later be rejected by the Arab populations, the Bulgarian journalist and Islam expert Mohammed Khalaf writes in the daily 24 Chasa: » more

The Islamist parties and movements that came to power after the Arab Spring will sooner or later be rejected by the Arab populations, the Bulgarian journalist and Islam expert Mohammed Khalaf writes in the daily 24 Chasa: "Unfortunately the ideals of the Arab revolution were betrayed and a new kind of barbarity has entered through the window of democracy. The defenders of a 'return to the roots' have used the new liberties to their own advantage, although they believe neither in liberty nor in human rights and democracy. ... Instead these new movements, parties and power elites are fanning hatred and banning everything that doesn't fit into their world view. ... No doubt this wave of political Islam will soon determine the social and political processes in the Arab countries that only a little while ago were oppressed by military dictators. On the long term, however, with their anti-modern attitudes they have no chance. They will be rejected by people who come into contact with other cultures and values over the Internet and who are ready to burst the fetters of estrangement to participate in a globalised, civilised world."

The Republic of Cyprus, which currently holds the presidency of the EU Council, could play a mediating role in the crises in the Middle East and Syria owing to its strategic position, the conservative daily Simerini writes: » more

The Republic of Cyprus, which currently holds the presidency of the EU Council, could play a mediating role in the crises in the Middle East and Syria owing to its strategic position, the conservative daily Simerini writes: "Under the current circumstances Cyprus's EU presidency takes on a greater and deeper significance. The crises in Syria and the Middle East offer the opportunity to take the initiative to overcome them. The Republic of Cyprus maintains very good relations with all the countries in the region. Cyprus is right on the edge of the EU and the only European country in this region which is one of the most dangerous and unstable in the world. Cyprus is accepted by all sides and can play a mediating role by taking the reins with the approval of its EU partners. Cyprus represents a springboard for all the initiatives in the region - and this theory is the reality."

The controversial Mohammed video has sparked a wave of violence across the world, with radical Islamists now calling for its makers and others to be killed. But civil resistance against the hate preachers is growing, writes Middle East correspondent Jörg Armbruster in the opinion magazine The European: » more

The controversial Mohammed video has sparked a wave of violence across the world, with radical Islamists now calling for its makers and others to be killed. But civil resistance against the hate preachers is growing, writes Middle East correspondent Jörg Armbruster in the opinion magazine The European: "Anyone who insults the Prophet insults all Muslims. So Muslims have taken to the streets, for the most part peacefully. From time to time, however, they have also vented their anger at the insults with shows of hatred directed at the West in general and at the US and Israel in particular. ... Hatred of America is one of the most important political constants in this religion, which politicians and preachers deliberately use to pour fuel on the fire. Hardly a demonstration goes by without US or Israeli flags being burned. 'No, that's not true!' the young Egyptians who occupied Tahrir Square for eleven days last year call out indignantly. No US flags were burned there, and Israel played no role whatsoever. Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated on Tahrir Square at the height of last year's protests, while these days two thousand at most gather in front of the US embassy in Cairo. The young Egyptians no longer run after every pied piper that says he wants to defend Islam."

International media have begun to prophesy the death of the Arab Spring in the wake of protests in Muslim countries against the US-produced anti-Islam film. The portal Alfa disagrees: » more

International media have begun to prophesy the death of the Arab Spring in the wake of protests in Muslim countries against the US-produced anti-Islam film. The portal Alfa disagrees: "It is too early to weep bitter tears. A far more interesting truth lurks behind the pictures of agitators published en masse in the media the world over. Fewer people have taken part in these protests than ever before. Cairo, for example has 9 million inhabitants, but only 1,000 have now gathered to protest on Tahrir Square. Last year hundreds of thousands met there for regular protests, despite the very real danger of being killed. And in the end they toppled the dictator Hosni Mubarak. Now, however, relatively few demonstrators are determined to climb the fences of US embassies or kill diplomats."

The US has urged Google to remove the anti-Islam film "The Innocence of Musims", which sparked protests in the Muslim world, from the video platform Youtube. The business paper De Tijd disapproves: » more

The US has urged Google to remove the anti-Islam film "The Innocence of Musims", which sparked protests in the Muslim world, from the video platform Youtube. The business paper De Tijd disapproves: "Freedom of opinion has its sleazy side, and often has little to do with good taste or common decency. ... It's only understandable that the US is now concerned. ... However reacting to the violent protests with a call for censorship is very unwise. In the Muslim world there is a movement that sets itself apart from the Western world and its values. Its leaders are quick to take offence and feel forced into a corner. As a result an equally strong anti-Islamic current now exists in the West. Free and independent opinions fall victim to these two hardened fronts. But in the absence of freedom of expression, dialogue is no longer at all possible. When people yield to force, unjustified criticism is silenced. Dictatorships may thrive in this way, it's true, but open and democratic countries should not choose this path."

The attacks against Western diplomatic posts are symptomatic of the process of self-discovery taking place in many Muslim countries and are not really directed against the Western lifestyle, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung contends: » more

The attacks against Western diplomatic posts are symptomatic of the process of self-discovery taking place in many Muslim countries and are not really directed against the Western lifestyle, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung contends: "The Yemenites and Egyptians who are throwing explosives at US embassies talk to each other on iPhones and refresh themselves with Coca-Cola once they've finished their rampages. … The Arab world is ridding itself of the heteronomy it has experienced since the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. Local dictators like Mubarak and Gaddafi were toppled. They were the lackeys of the West or Moscow. The uprising is a continuation of the abortive secular revolutions and military coups of the 1950s. They are about having a say in what goes on in one's own country, but also about the right to self-determination as Egyptians, Tunisians and Arabs. …. In this region identity is inextricably bound up with Islam. … This is why religious ideologies play a role in the search for an identity - whether that search plays out in parliament or with the angry mob."

Even if the violent protests in the Middle East have calmed somewhat, the threat of further conflicts is ever-present, the left-liberal daily Dnevnik fears: » more

Even if the violent protests in the Middle East have calmed somewhat, the threat of further conflicts is ever-present, the left-liberal daily Dnevnik fears: "With all its violence, the new conflict in the Middle East is conditioned by the fact that there really is a - for the moment unbridgeable - gap between the US and the Arab states. The US has placed freedom of opinion on a pedastel which is enshrined in its constitution, while in the Arab world an equivalent position is occupied by the Koran. So it really is a clash between two civilisations. Added to that, the US's ambivalent Middle East policy as well as the transformation process in the countries where the people toppled regimes that Washington supported for decades do nothing to make the situation any less complicated."

The dynamic of the protests triggered by an anti-Islam amateur film remind the left-liberal daily Der Standard of the revolutions of the Arab Spring: » more

The dynamic of the protests triggered by an anti-Islam amateur film remind the left-liberal daily Der Standard of the revolutions of the Arab Spring: "Basically, the current demonstrators, whose mass should by no means be underestimated - are not unlike the revolutionaries of 2011. They share a similar slogan, although if you take a closer look you'll find different backgrounds and motivations. But they reveal once again what the media announced when the revolutions first broke out: the times when the region was fixated on fabricated external conflicts are over, the problems have been recognised as internal, named, and are now being addressed. Even if US flags weren't burnt during the revolutions the old regimes were hated and de-legitimised because they were perceived as the puppets of an imperialist power. The feelings of resentment were not healed, and in fact new ones were added: those of the secular and the liberals who accuse the US of making deals with the Islamists."

Several people have been killed during violent protests at US diplomatic posts in Islamic countries in recent days, among them the US ambassador to Libya. ... » more

Several people have been killed during violent protests at US diplomatic posts in Islamic countries in recent days, among them the US ambassador to Libya. The liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung sees the events as a shock for the US, since "these four countries are the very states that toppled their leaders during the 'Arab Spring'. The Americans didn't try to prevent these changes, and even facilitated them to varying degrees. However their position in the region wasn't strengthened as a result, as is becoming ever clearer. ... The violent death of an ambassador, a country's highest representative in the host state, has an enormous symbolic impact. The last time the US suffered such a blow was in Afghanistan in 1979, followed by the traumatic hostage crisis in the US embassy in Iran. So it's no coincidence that people are now reminded of the Carter era, a time of foreign policy weakness in the American collective memory. Should Obama be burdened by such an image it would be disastrous for his re-election prospects."

The attacks against US diplomatic posts in reaction to a film that is supposedly critical of Islam demonstrates once again the major differences in values between Western and Islamic countries, the liberal daily Kaleva notes: » more

The attacks against US diplomatic posts in reaction to a film that is supposedly critical of Islam demonstrates once again the major differences in values between Western and Islamic countries, the liberal daily Kaleva notes: "The Mohammed cartoons a few years ago already highlighted the differences between Western values and those of the Islamic world, which in practice are incompatible. ... In many Islamic countries the erroneous belief seems to prevail that Western leaders could simply put the freedom of opinion under lock and key. Or perhaps they know that's not how things are but refuse to accept it. ... In secular Western states, by contrast, people seem to have forgotten what a central role belief plays in the lives af many people in large parts of the world. This seems to have surprised many people in the West during the dispute over Pussy Riot in Russia as well."

A court in Bahrain on Tuesday upheld life sentences against seven members of the opposition, including the Bahraini-Danish former chairman of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who was arrested when the Shiite protest movent was crushed last year. The left-liberal daily Politiken is incensed: » more

A court in Bahrain on Tuesday upheld life sentences against seven members of the opposition, including the Bahraini-Danish former chairman of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who was arrested when the Shiite protest movent was crushed last year. The left-liberal daily Politiken is incensed: "The 'crime' that has had him put behind bars for life was making use of the fundamental right of freedom of opinion and calling for democracy. Not he, but the Bahrain authorities were the ones to use violence. Although he led a peaceful campaign, he was beaten and subjected to torture after his arrest. And it is not al-Khawaja but Bahrain that has entered into a conspiracy with foreign powers. A committee of enquiry determined [in autumn] that the pro-democracy protests were not being controlled by Iran. The royal family in Bahrain, by contrast, followed the dictates of Saudi Arabia and deployed Saudi soldiers to put them down."

Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Mursi on Sunday disempowered the army leadership and conferred new powers upon himself. While the move has met with approval among ... » more

Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Mursi on Sunday disempowered the army leadership and conferred new powers upon himself. While the move has met with approval among the population, lawyers in the country have accused Mursi of overstepping his bounds. Some commentators sense a chance for democracy in Egypt. Others warn it could become an Islamist state.

The disempowerment of Egypt's top military commanders by the new President Mohammed Mursi is an important step toward democracy, although the new political appointments also include military and religious figures, writes the conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more

The disempowerment of Egypt's top military commanders by the new President Mohammed Mursi is an important step toward democracy, although the new political appointments also include military and religious figures, writes the conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "Mursi is taking very seriously his plan to radically change the order that emerged after the military putsch in 1952. The republic over which generals Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak ruled as presidents was firmly founded upon the military, the judiciary and the Islamic al-Azhar University. … All three institutions are now to maintain a distance from politics. The separation could give the new and still unstable democracy room to develop. However the demarcation lines are not clear. The new defence minister is also a general, Mursi named a well established secular judge concerned for the independence of the judiciary as vice-president, while the head of al-Azhar University was named minister for religious affairs."

That Egypt's new President Mohammed Mursi has managed to divide the army and involve members of the military council in its own loss of power opens the door for the country to be converted into an Islamist state, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse fears: » more

That Egypt's new President Mohammed Mursi has managed to divide the army and involve members of the military council in its own loss of power opens the door for the country to be converted into an Islamist state, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse fears: "The hit was well calculated and clean. The Islamists managed to divide the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces using a Machiavellian trick. It was the youngest member of the army leadership who opened the doors to the rulers' armoury for the Muslim Brothers. Because they had promised him, the ambitious and god-fearing [new Defence Minister] Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, the top job in the military. The Islamists are following their own general staff plan. Bit by bit they are clearing away the detritus of the Mubarak dictatorship. Last week the president got rid of the chief of the intelligence service. Next he'll take the judicial system to task. There has already been a shake up in the state media. Everything is prepared for Phase II: transforming Egypt into an Islamist state. Who can stop the Muslim Brothers at this point?"

Now that Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Mursi has disempowered the army leadership and strengthened his own position in in doing so, it will become clear who really wields the power in the country, the liberal daily Savon Sanomat comments: » more

Now that Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Mursi has disempowered the army leadership and strengthened his own position in in doing so, it will become clear who really wields the power in the country, the liberal daily Savon Sanomat comments: "At least on Monday, there was not yet any sign in Egypt that the army would take action against the measures. ... The fact that the army is remaining calm very likely means that Mursi's step met with the approval of the military council. ... Mursi's measures were described as revolutionary on Monday by the Egyptian papers, which speak of a victory of Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood over the army. If that really is the case, the old government has definitively lost its influence over Egypt's development. Now it will be clear who really rules the country, President Mursi or the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Mursi was the presidential candidate."

In a surprise move, Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi on Sunday demanded the resignation of the head of the military council and Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, as well as that of army Chief of Staff Sami Anan. Mursi's attempt to consolidate political power over the military council is risky but correct, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: » more

In a surprise move, Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi on Sunday demanded the resignation of the head of the military council and Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, as well as that of army Chief of Staff Sami Anan. Mursi's attempt to consolidate political power over the military council is risky but correct, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: "With his surprise tactic President Mursi has loudly asserted his authority over the army. That could plunge Egypt into new chaos. But essentially the measure was correct: even in Egypt, politics must hold sway over the military. Tantawi and his men toppled Mubarak in 2011 to remain in power - where generals don't belong. Mursi has taken a courageous step towards a civilian-run Egypt in which politicians - and not the military - point the way forward."

Almost one year after the fall of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Lybia's National Transitional Council has officially transferred power to the National Congress, the country's first freely-elected parliament. The liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung gives a generally positive assessment of the Transitional Council: » more

Almost one year after the fall of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Lybia's National Transitional Council has officially transferred power to the National Congress, the country's first freely-elected parliament. The liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung gives a generally positive assessment of the Transitional Council: "It promised elections, and it held them just a little later than originally planned. It resisted temptations to benefit from its mandate and secure places for its members in parliament. So although it leaves the National Congress with a mountain of unsolved problems, at least it has not also bequeathed it a gang of exhausted and discredited politicians. ... The work of the National Congress will not least be measured by its success in avoiding clientelism and turning the Libyans into citizens who see themselves not as clients of the government but as responsible participants in the state, endowed with rights and obligations."

According to the preliminary figures released on Thursday, the liberal National Forces Alliance received significantly more votes than the Islamic parties in Libya's first free elections, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: » more

According to the preliminary figures released on Thursday, the liberal National Forces Alliance received significantly more votes than the Islamic parties in Libya's first free elections, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "In this way the Libyans have bucked the trend in neighbouring countries where the voters have turned the Arab Spring into a monumental victory for the Islamists. The Muslim Brotherhood's lack of success in Libya bodes well for democracy in the country. ... Of course Libya still has obstacles to overcome. The country is being flooded with weapons, and certain powers in the east want to acquire more autonomy, if necessary with violence. Nevertheless the elections have shown that the Islamists, like the 'federalists' [who want more power for the eastern part of the country] can count on little popular support."

Egypt's new President Mohammed Mursi has convened for today a meeting of the parliament that the military council dissolved in June. The liberal daily NRC Handelsblad sees this a countercoup on Mursi's part: » more

Egypt's new President Mohammed Mursi has convened for today a meeting of the parliament that the military council dissolved in June. The liberal daily NRC Handelsblad sees this a countercoup on Mursi's part: "This could be the first of many confrontations between the president and the army. It could also be part of a strategic game in which both parties establish their positions. For the military, much is hanging in the balance. They control a large part of the Egyptian economy. Mursi is a representative of the Muslim Brotherhood, which doesn't make him hugely popular in the West. ... The fact is, however, that he was elected by the Egyptian people, even if it was a narrow victory and the voter turnout was low. ... Of course Mursi has the law on his side when he ignores the army's decrees. But it will take a good deal of tactical savvy to have this right recognised. Because something that sounds like a matter of course hasn't been the reality in Egypt for years: namely that soldiers belong in barracks and nowhere else."

Libya's first free elections were held on Saturday, roughly nine months after the fall of dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi. It looks like the liberal alliance of the head of the transition government, Mahmoud Jibril, is clearly in the lead. The new government must bring the federalists in the east of the country on board, writes the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

Libya's first free elections were held on Saturday, roughly nine months after the fall of dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi. It looks like the liberal alliance of the head of the transition government, Mahmoud Jibril, is clearly in the lead. The new government must bring the federalists in the east of the country on board, writes the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "The voter turnout could be around 60 percent, which in view of the boycott and the disruptive actions in the east is a respectable figure. However it is still unclear whether the National Congress elected on Saturday will accept the narrowing of its competences. Whether it or another body draws up the constitution: regional interests will have to be taken into account in the new Libya. The 'federalists' of Cyrenaika control four-fifths of all Libya's oil wells and have no intention of giving up this asset so quickly."

Nine months after the death of the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi Libya will elect a new parliament on Saturday. The liberal daily Dagens Nyheter hopes the elections will produce a positive outcome towards democracy: » more

Nine months after the death of the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi Libya will elect a new parliament on Saturday. The liberal daily Dagens Nyheter hopes the elections will produce a positive outcome towards democracy: "After the elections in Tunisia and Egypt, further victories for the Islamists would be worrying. But there are many indications that the Libyans are sceptical about extremist adventures. Moreover they are grateful to the Western powers that helped them to topple Gaddafi. Democracy is a fragile experiment. Under Gaddafi all parties were forbidden and the only political organisation was Gaddafi himself. But if the elections are approached correctly and the opponents respect the result there is genuine hope for Libya."

The moderate Islamist Mohammed Mursi is Egypt's first freely elected president. However the daily Le Soir does not see the presidential elections as a victory for democracy: » more

The moderate Islamist Mohammed Mursi is Egypt's first freely elected president. However the daily Le Soir does not see the presidential elections as a victory for democracy: "Have we witnessed the triumph of nascent Egyptian democracy after the revolution in 2011? Unfortunately not! Just a fateful farce. The judges, especially on the Constitutional Court, who were all named during the Mubarak era, have taken very serious decisions. ... Above all to dissolve the country's first democratically elected parliament. The army then seized all power. What will Mohammed Mursi do with this poisoned gift? One may assume that he will attempt to establish a government of unity. But he risks being sabotaged by the 'deep state', as people say in Egypt: the security forces, the army, the bureaucracy, all of which have a keen interest in him failing."

After winning the presidential elections Mohammed Mursi must now above all rebuild the country's economy which suffered greatly during the Arab Spring, writes the left-liberal daily The Independent: » more

After winning the presidential elections Mohammed Mursi must now above all rebuild the country's economy which suffered greatly during the Arab Spring, writes the left-liberal daily The Independent: "For all the jubilation, Egypt's challenges are far from over. ... Not the least of Mr Morsi's immediate priorities is the poor state of the economy. The turmoil of the last 16 months has been devastating: tourism has slumped, foreign exchanges reserves are dwindling, and the government's finances are in dire straits. Meanwhile, unemployment is high and rising, particularly among young people. Near the top of Mr Morsi's agenda, therefore, must be the International Monetary Fund support turned down by the military council last year. But over the longer term, alongside such concerns as healthcare and education, the new President will need to institute wide-ranging economic reforms to tackle the sclerosis caused by decades of cronyism."

The Muslim Brother Mohammed Mursi has become Egypt's new president. But in the background the military continues to pull the strings, which may be a good thing for the non-religious forces in the country for the time being, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse notes: » more

The Muslim Brother Mohammed Mursi has become Egypt's new president. But in the background the military continues to pull the strings, which may be a good thing for the non-religious forces in the country for the time being, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse notes: "The army had a double strategy right from the start. Firstly, it wanted to protect its long tentacles, which reach deep into the economy, the judiciary and other areas of influence from the citizens' access. Secondly, the military is obviously determined not to give the Islamists free rein. … Constructing such a fortress to prevent the Islamists from assuming total power makes sense as long as the rights of the seculars are not anchored in a constitution. To trust the Muslim Brothers or even the Salafists here would be naïve. But it is no longer possible to force Mursi and his men to go underground. … They must be given the opportunity to break their own spell, without presenting them the state on a silver tray. This is the only raison d'être for the army's transitional function, at least until the democratic liberties are enshrined in a new constitution. But it would also be naïve to assume that the army doesn't have an agenda that goes beyond this."

In Egypt, the electoral commission has postponed for an indefinite period the announcement of the results of the presidential election scheduled for this Thursday owing to numerous complaints. The Military Council had already expanded its own powers last Sunday while the run-off vote was taking place. The country is experiencing a covert military coup, the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant warns: » more

In Egypt, the electoral commission has postponed for an indefinite period the announcement of the results of the presidential election scheduled for this Thursday owing to numerous complaints. The Military Council had already expanded its own powers last Sunday while the run-off vote was taking place. The country is experiencing a covert military coup, the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant warns: "First the constitutional court dissolved the newly elected parliament where the Islamists had gained a majority of mandates. … Then the Supreme Military Council granted itself legislative powers by means of an emergency decree. The military also made sure that it will have major influence over the drawing up of a new constitution. Moreover it considerably limited the powers of the president right from the start. Even if the Islamist Mursi wins the election, he won't have any power over the army or the defence budget. It's understandable that the West is concerned about the advance of the Islamists in the Arab world. But it must raise its voice against the disguised military coup. New life must be breathed into Egyptian democracy."

According to media reports, the former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is wrestling with death. The country's Supreme Military Council refuted reports that he has already been declared clinically dead. At the same time the announcement of the final result of the presidential election was postponed. Keeping the country in a state of uncertainty may be a strategy employed by the Military Council, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera speculates: » more

According to media reports, the former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is wrestling with death. The country's Supreme Military Council refuted reports that he has already been declared clinically dead. At the same time the announcement of the final result of the presidential election was postponed. Keeping the country in a state of uncertainty may be a strategy employed by the Military Council, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera speculates: "Mubarak is recovering while Egypt's situation is deteriorating. The implausible series of reports on the state of health of the former ruler, who has been condemned to life imprisonment, speaks volumes about the chaos on the Nile. … The generals may be behind all this, trying to cause even greater confusion and divert the country's attention from the real problems. … Intrigues, crime, conspiracy? Or just the umpteenth scam? … In reality the Egyptians couldn't care less about Mubarak's fate. They have other problems to deal with and other challenges to meet. As well as the threat of a never-ending transition phase coming from a different direction."

The electoral commission in Egypt has still not presented the final results of the presidential elections that took place on the weekend. And last week, constitutional judges dissolved the parliament owing to irregularities in its election in last winter. The country will eventually realise its democratic potential but the Egyptians must be patient, writes the left-liberal daily The Irish Times: » more

The electoral commission in Egypt has still not presented the final results of the presidential elections that took place on the weekend. And last week, constitutional judges dissolved the parliament owing to irregularities in its election in last winter. The country will eventually realise its democratic potential but the Egyptians must be patient, writes the left-liberal daily The Irish Times: "These differences and divisions [among the different religious groups] will ensure Egypt's revolution maintains its momentum despite the setbacks to its democratic progress in recent days. It is much too early to conclude any one force has definitively secured control. ... After decades of authoritarian military rule its citizens are realising political change can be slow and tortuous, with periods of rapid shifts followed by agonising reversals. Great interests are at stake and often in conflict, between generations, ... social classes and varying cultures."

At the G20 summit in Mexico US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin called in a joint declaration for an end to the bloodshed in Syria. Obama has understood that the best strategy in the dispute over how to react to Damascus is to show Putin his appreciation of Russia's role, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: » more

At the G20 summit in Mexico US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin called in a joint declaration for an end to the bloodshed in Syria. Obama has understood that the best strategy in the dispute over how to react to Damascus is to show Putin his appreciation of Russia's role, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: "Obama has played the card of recognising the important of Russian-Syrian relations. In other words, Washington would have nothing against this alliance even in a post-Assad phase. Ultimately this means that Moscow will be allowed to keep its military base in the Syrian port of Tartus in the future. And this is precisely what the Kremlin was most concerned about since this is the only friendly port its Mediterranean fleet has left. We must wait and see if the compromise on the Annan peace plan can go along with Putin's desire to heighten his profile in the Middle East. … Quite apart from the fact that the joint declaration makes no mention of the planned missile defence shield in Europe which remains a main bone of contention between Moscow and Washington."

The moderate Islamist Mohamed Morsi on Monday declared himself the winner of Egypt's first free presidential elections, only to be contradicted by his rival Ahmed Shafik. But regardless of who the winner is, the true power will remain in the hands of the military, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes: » more

The moderate Islamist Mohamed Morsi on Monday declared himself the winner of Egypt's first free presidential elections, only to be contradicted by his rival Ahmed Shafik. But regardless of who the winner is, the true power will remain in the hands of the military, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes: "Egypt now has a caricature of a president and no parliament. The formation of a new government will no doubt be left to the new president, because what else can the military council mean with its 'handover' to the civilians? But there are limitations on this point as well: In its complementary constitutional declaration on Sunday, the military council named its own chairman as minister of defence. The constitution is also written by the military - and the constitutional judges (named by Hosni Mubarak) will have the last say on this constitution. They are the ones who will decide if an article of the new constitution contradicts the 'goals of the revolution'. Now that's what you call chutzpah.”

The UN observers' mission in Syria is about to end its work in the country owing to the escalating violence in the country. The West must skilfully increase pressure on Moscow, which so far has successfully hindered a UN resolution, writes historian Timothy Garton Ash in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more

The UN observers' mission in Syria is about to end its work in the country owing to the escalating violence in the country. The West must skilfully increase pressure on Moscow, which so far has successfully hindered a UN resolution, writes historian Timothy Garton Ash in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "The Russian position on Syria is shocking, mendacious and indefensible. The Russians have repeatedly blocked efforts to get UN authority for stronger peace-making measures, using hypocritical arguments that barely conceal their own national interest in keeping their military, economic and political foothold in the Middle East. They trained the Syrian army that is killing civilians and now - if [US Secretary of State] Clinton is to be believed - they are supplying attack helicopters to help Assad's forces kill even more. Have they no shame? In the case of Putin's Russia, this question answers itself. Have they no other national interests, which might eventually outweigh this one? Now that's a question worth asking. If we are really serious about our commitment to stopping the slaughter in Syria, we in the West have to consider if there are any larger carrots and sticks we can still show Russia, even at some cost to ourselves. ... The road to Damascus goes through Moscow."

Egypt's constitutional court on Thursday declared the results of last winter's parliamentary elections partially invalid owing to irregularities, while giving the green light for Ahmed Shafik, ex-head of government under Hosni Mubarak, to run as a candidate in this weekend's runoff vote for the office of president. The military's quest for power is endangering the entire Arab Spring, the conservative daily Le Figaro fears: » more

Egypt's constitutional court on Thursday declared the results of last winter's parliamentary elections partially invalid owing to irregularities, while giving the green light for Ahmed Shafik, ex-head of government under Hosni Mubarak, to run as a candidate in this weekend's runoff vote for the office of president. The military's quest for power is endangering the entire Arab Spring, the conservative daily Le Figaro fears: "A long time ago the military, which has been in power in Cairo since 1952, came to terms with the rise of the Islamists. Since the times of Mubarak's rule it had tacitly agreed to a pact: the army maintained the political and economic power while the social and religious areas were left to the Muslim Brothers. But the military, which abandoned Mubarak and gave in to the revolutionary pressure, has used this opportunity to tighten its grip on power. It never had any intention of leaving the country to the Islamists. … Given the key role Egypt plays in the Middle East, the next few days will decide the fate of all the Arab revolutions."

According to UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, Hervé Ladsous, the 15-month uprising in Syria has now turned into a full-blown civil war. Syria is sinking into savagery while the international community looks on passively, complains the liberal-conservative business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: » more

According to UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, Hervé Ladsous, the 15-month uprising in Syria has now turned into a full-blown civil war. Syria is sinking into savagery while the international community looks on passively, complains the liberal-conservative business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: "Can international diplomacy, which from Moscow to Washington is frantically putting together a list of invitees to a new major Syria conference, continue to look on impassively faced with the tragedy unfolding and the eye-witness accounts [of child soldiers]? … When they fall, authoritarian regimes drag down with them not just political systems - in the case of Syria the president's Alawite clan and the Ba'ath Party - but also annul the rules that govern human coexistence. … This is precisely what is happening now in Assad's Syria, where perhaps all solutions for ending the bloody anarchy come too late. … The UN peace plan is increasingly being exposed as a useless diplomatic gesture."

The presidential run-off vote in Egypt, in which a Muslim Brother and a representative of the Mubarak regime will compete for the office, will take place on June 16 and 17. A sobering moment for activists of the Facebook revolution, writes the US journalist Thomas L. Friedman in a commentary for the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more

The presidential run-off vote in Egypt, in which a Muslim Brother and a representative of the Mubarak regime will compete for the office, will take place on June 16 and 17. A sobering moment for activists of the Facebook revolution, writes the US journalist Thomas L. Friedman in a commentary for the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "What happened to the 'Facebook Revolution'? ... No doubt Facebook helped a certain educated class of Egyptians to spread the word about the Tahrir Revolution. ... But, at the end of the day, politics always comes down to two very old things: leadership and the ability to get stuff done. And when it came to those, both the Egyptian Army and the Muslim Brotherhood, two old 'brick and mortar' movements, were much more adept than the Facebook generation. To be sure, Facebook, Twitter and blogging are truly revolutionary tools of communication and expression that have brought so many new and compelling voices to light. At their best, they're changing the nature of political communication and news. But, at their worst, they can become addictive substitutes for real action."

Faced with ongoing fighting in Syria the international community is discussing how to react to the conflict. In an article published in the left-liberal daily El País former US secretary of state Henry A. Kissinger warns against military intervention in the country: » more

Faced with ongoing fighting in Syria the international community is discussing how to react to the conflict. In an article published in the left-liberal daily El País former US secretary of state Henry A. Kissinger warns against military intervention in the country: "Military intervention, humanitarian or strategic, has two prerequisites: First, a consensus on governance after the overthrow of the status quo is critical. If the objective is confined to deposing a specific ruler, a new civil war could follow in the resulting vacuum, as armed groups contest the succession, and outside countries choose different sides. Second, the political objective must be explicit and achievable in a domestically sustainable time period. I doubt that the Syrian issue meets these tests. We cannot afford to be driven from expedient to expedient into undefined military involvement. ... In reacting to one human tragedy, we must be careful not to facilitate another."

Fighting in Syria between the rebels and troops of the Assad regime resulted once more in dozens of deaths over the weekend. Now that Kofi Annan's peace plan has turned out to be a waste of time the West's only alternative is military intervention, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse writes: » more

Fighting in Syria between the rebels and troops of the Assad regime resulted once more in dozens of deaths over the weekend. Now that Kofi Annan's peace plan has turned out to be a waste of time the West's only alternative is military intervention, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse writes: "It's time to say goodbye to the illusion that Assad will ever reach a compromise with his opponents. The man wants to leave behind scorched earth, not a united country. [Kofi] Annan's peace plan was well intended but a waste of time. The West has three options: first, to stay out of the conflict and hope that the problem solves itself. This could be a bloody path, as we have already seen. Secondly, Europe and the US can try to convince Moscow to approve sanctions, at least a weapons embargo. But this hope has also proved illusory so far. The third option is the military one. The West should prepare for this, because until the threat of this scenario becomes tangible Assad won't even consider giving up."

In Egypt, the verdict condemning former president Hosni Mubarak to life imprisonment and the acquittal of several police officers have triggered angry protests. This will work to the advantage of the Muslim Brotherhood's contender Mohammed Mursi in the second round of the presidential election, writes the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

In Egypt, the verdict condemning former president Hosni Mubarak to life imprisonment and the acquittal of several police officers have triggered angry protests. This will work to the advantage of the Muslim Brotherhood's contender Mohammed Mursi in the second round of the presidential election, writes the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "The verdict of not guilty for the six police officers is inconvenient [for Ahmed Shafik, who is supported by the military]. Because it confirms the widespread suspicions in the country that despite the 'revolution' and free elections the old order still hasn't been beaten, a fact which among other things was also evident in Shafik's unexpectedly good results in the first round of the election. The rival candidate Mohammed Mursi will do all he can to exploit this situation in the election campaign. As a Muslim Brother who spent years languishing in Mubarak's dungeons, his own biography works in his favour. At least as far as credibility is concerned, he has a better advantage over Mubarak's former favourite than ever before."

The EU wants to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to approve sanctions against Syria at the EU-Russia summit in St. Petersburg today, Monday. But there can be no talk of a military intervention, writes the journalist Ullrich Fichtner in the weekly magazine Der Spiegel: » more

The EU wants to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to approve sanctions against Syria at the EU-Russia summit in St. Petersburg today, Monday. But there can be no talk of a military intervention, writes the journalist Ullrich Fichtner in the weekly magazine Der Spiegel: "After the Arab Spring, in whose turbulence Moscow lost much of its influence, Russia is 'literally fighting for its last anchoring ground in the Middle East'. ... This is about more than protecting a key arms customer or jointly exploiting a Syrian oil field. ... A further dramatic insight from the events in Syria: one legacy of the lies used to justify the Iraq War is that the US has lost its authority to establish a moral order in the Middle East. For that reason the UN, Nato and the West will not lead a military intervention against the Syrian regime. ... As agonising as the news, images and cries for help from Syria are, we must accept that it is just as crazy to think that this bloody chaos can be quelled with even more weapons."

Now that French Presient François Hollande no longer rules out the option of military intervention in Syria, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung defends Germany's more ... » more

Now that French Presient François Hollande no longer rules out the option of military intervention in Syria, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung defends Germany's more cautious foreign policy and writes that the president is "naïve if he seriously believes he can bring Putin to relent. Calculating, because all he cares about is the fleeting impact this could have ahead of the French parliamentary elections. … It would be unfair to accuse the German government of passivity. In the UN Security Council Germany is among those states that for a year now have been trying to break through the wall China and Russia have erected to protect the Syrian regime. … This stance is the result of the sense of horror of a nation that in recent years found itself in the role of a warring party first in the Balkans and then in Afghanistan and didn't recognise itself in this role. … But which circumstances would bring it to give up [its military reserve] remain a German secret."

Russian President Putin is a key figure for the French President because with Moscow's consent François Hollande could bring about a change of regime in Damascus, the conservative daily Le Figaro writes: » more

Russian President Putin is a key figure for the French President because with Moscow's consent François Hollande could bring about a change of regime in Damascus, the conservative daily Le Figaro writes: "The French President's intention is to 'convince' his Russian counterpart that he would do well to drop an ally with no future so as to preserve his own interests in Syria. But others have tried and failed before him. The strong man in the Kremlin is a tough customer. ... He believes that the West is taking advantage of the Arab revolts to dislodge Russia from the Mediterranean. But he's also a pragmatist who knows how far he can go. Will François Holland find suitable arguments to set in motion a change of regime in Syria with Moscow's support even before Putin and Obama meet at the G20 Summit in June? Getting Putin to bend on the issue is a tall order. It would be an incredible start for the foreign policy of this new French president."

Military intervention in Syria remains out of the question even after the statement by François Hollande and despite the fact that international pressure has had ... » more

Military intervention in Syria remains out of the question even after the statement by François Hollande and despite the fact that international pressure has had no effect on the country so far, the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat writes. "Military measures are still not an option, even if French President François Hollande did say on Tuesday that he was giving the matter some thought. The expulsion of Syrian diplomats from many countries is a fitting reaction to the massacre, but it doesn't solve a thing. The first step must be to convince Russia to withdraw its support for al-Assad. China will hardly resist new sanctions against Syria in the UN Security Council on its own. Syria's plight is neither the fault of Kofi Annan nor that of the peace plan that bears his name. Nevertheless the West must be ready to give up the peace plan if it proves ineffective and only serves to enable Russia to keep face in Syria while the blood bath continues."

After the massacre in Houla and news of further victims in Syria the conservative daily Berlingske hopes Russia and China will relent, and calls for military intervention to protect the civilian population: » more

After the massacre in Houla and news of further victims in Syria the conservative daily Berlingske hopes Russia and China will relent, and calls for military intervention to protect the civilian population: "One can only hope that Russia and China come to their senses. Protection zones must be set up for refugees within Syria. And food and medical supplies must be provided in places that are suffering the consequences of the incipient civil war. That can only be done with a military intervention. Ensuring that the Syrians are protected from further attacks in secure zones is the very least that should be done. This is nothing more than protecting the civilian population. But for the Russians, even that seems to be too much to swallow."

What at first glance seems to be a crushing result in the presidential election is in fact testimony to the freedom the Egyptians have attained, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung contends: » more

What at first glance seems to be a crushing result in the presidential election is in fact testimony to the freedom the Egyptians have attained, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung contends: "Now the morning-after feeling has spread across the country. … In the worst case it boils down to the choice between a police state or a religious state. Many people wanted to avoid this. … So this twosome in the runoff vote is an expression of the understandable confusion in a nascent political landscape. But it also shows that people believe in the possibility of peaceful political change. Already the candidates are promising alliances and political concessions. But it is part of the legacy of a dictatorship that political defeat almost always means physical destruction, imprisonment, exile, even death. More exciting than learning the name of the victor is therefore the question of whether Egypt will get rid of him if it doesn't like him. Ideally without a revolution this time."

Following the massacre in Houla French President François Hollande is no longer excluding the possibility of military intervention in the country. But such a mission is far too risky, writes the daily Le Temps: » more

Following the massacre in Houla French President François Hollande is no longer excluding the possibility of military intervention in the country. But such a mission is far too risky, writes the daily Le Temps: "For the last fifteen months the entire world has been overtaken by events, and looking on as Syria descends into civil war. The civilian massacre in Houla which Damascus is denying despite the evidence has all but doomed Kofi Annan's plan to failure. … An external intervention along the lines of the Nato mission in Libya - something the opposition has been clamouring for - is simply too risky: Syria is more densely populated than Libya and its army is far fiercer. Opinion continues to be divided over the possibility of supplying the rebels with arms; by balancing the forces it would send the country even further along the path of violence. … At the moment no solution seems able to protect Syria from a major, enduring conflict that could destabilise the entire sub-region."

The fate of Egypt lies above all in the hands of the generals, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

The fate of Egypt lies above all in the hands of the generals, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "It is the junta made up of 20 generals that is watching over the elections. It is led by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, and has had a firm grip on power since 11 February 2011. … Few believe that it will really cede its power in July as promised. It's all just speculation, because the generals say little and little is said about them. … A lenient sentence in the Mubarak trial on June 2, a narrow victory for Ahmed Shafik, a constitution that makes a few concessions to the revolutionaries and essentially the consolidation of their power - this is most likely what the generals have planned. And they may well succeed in quietly putting their plan into practice."

Many Egyptians are simply not ready for democracy, writes the web portal Delfi: » more

Many Egyptians are simply not ready for democracy, writes the web portal Delfi: "For the majority of the activists who toppled Hosni Mubarak's regime a year ago neither of the two candidates is acceptable. Ahmed Shafik symbolises the old regime and Mohamed Mursi's concept of an Islamist state is not compatible with a free democratic system. … So what can last year's revolutionaries do now? The best thing would be for them to understand that the majority of the population unfortunately is not ready for democracy and liberalism and to wait for new elections. The other option is another revolution and the further destabilisation of the country."

The first round of the presidential elections has disappointed many Egyptians and cast a pall over the country's democratic development, the liberal daily Aamulehti writes: » more

The first round of the presidential elections has disappointed many Egyptians and cast a pall over the country's democratic development, the liberal daily Aamulehti writes: "Voter turnout in the first round of the elections was already clearly less than in the parliamentary elections. That says much about the sense of disappointment among the people and the development of democracy in general, and the list of candidates in particular. It is a bad sign in many respects. If the people become frustrated with the democratic process, the country could be in store for a new maelstrom of violence. ... In the worst case scenario, if the face-off between the two candidates that have split the country once again escalates into violence, it could tempt someone to grab power to 'save' the county from chaos. That would be a calamity for Egypt's democratic development and for the freedom fighters across the Arab world who take Egypt as their model."

UN Security Council harshly condemned the massacre in the Syrian town of Houla on Monday. The Assad regime is reportedly responsible for the massacre on ... » more

UN Security Council harshly condemned the massacre in the Syrian town of Houla on Monday. The Assad regime is reportedly responsible for the massacre on Friday that left more than 100 civilians dead, including several dozen children. Commentators see UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan as a failure and fear a Srebrenica-like scenario.

The representative of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Mursi, and the last prime minister to serve under Hosni Mubarak's rule, Ahmed Schafik, will face each other in the run-up vote for the Egyptian presidency on June 16 and 17. They each obtained roughly a quarter of the vote in the first round of the election, which had a turnout of just 46 percent. This highlights how little support they have among the people, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: » more

The representative of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Mursi, and the last prime minister to serve under Hosni Mubarak's rule, Ahmed Schafik, will face each other in the run-up vote for the Egyptian presidency on June 16 and 17. They each obtained roughly a quarter of the vote in the first round of the election, which had a turnout of just 46 percent. This highlights how little support they have among the people, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: "Now the two extremes are pitted against each other: the Islamism of the Muslim Brotherhood and the secular autocracy of the old regime. But it would be wrong to reduce the political climate in Egypt to these two extremes. If you look at the results of the candidates who ranked first to fifth in the first round there are some surprising insights. More than 55 percent gave a secular candidate their vote. … So above all for the younger generation, the second round is simply a choice between a rock and a hard place. And it is to be feared that many will stay at home. This should be a warning to Mursi and Schafik. … The power base of the new head of state will certainly be a narrow one."

The international community is simply unable to find a solution to the conflict in Syria, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes with an eye to the massacre in Houla: » more

The international community is simply unable to find a solution to the conflict in Syria, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes with an eye to the massacre in Houla: "One option could be the establishment of so-called security zones for civil refugees. Such humanitarian corridors would mean controlling the airspace. ... However the tight intertwinement between supporters and opponents of the regime within the Syrian population makes such a plan seem unpracticable. Arming the opposition could very easily turn the conflict into an all-out civil war. ... Above all the religiously blinded suicide attackers with ties to al-Qaida would benefit from such an escalation. Ultimately much onus lies with Turkey, which could greatly improve its position in the region as a new order-imposing force. But that too appears unlikely, if only because Prime Minister Erdoğan does not want to give the army whose wings he has clipped any chance to improve its standing. ... So as it seems 'Houla' will not be a turning point, but merely a sad signpost in the tenacious battle for survival of a murderous regime whose time has definitely run out."

The counting of the votes has started in Egypt after the presidential elections. The country has taken a big step in the direction of democracy, praises the left-liberal daily Frankfurter Rundschau: » more

The counting of the votes has started in Egypt after the presidential elections. The country has taken a big step in the direction of democracy, praises the left-liberal daily Frankfurter Rundschau: "For the first time in the history Egyptians had the choice between several candidates, and at least it seems as if the election was relatively fair and free of fraud. Also new was the good organisation. ... The same holds for the electorate. Wherever you look these days people are talking about politics. ... And the next lesson? It will come when the new president takes office. Many Egyptians dearly hope that a strong man will take the reins of power once more and bring calm to the country. But how is that supposed to happen? ... The government will never be able to satisfy everyone, and there will be further protests. The next lesson is therefore: 'Forget the big leaders!' ... Egypt is still a long way from becoming a functioning democracy. But the presidential elections - regardless of how they transpire - have brought it one big step forward."

Egypt holds its first free presidential election this Wednesday. Despite the chaos in the country this is a hugely significant event, writes the left-liberal daily Le Temps: » more

Egypt holds its first free presidential election this Wednesday. Despite the chaos in the country this is a hugely significant event, writes the left-liberal daily Le Temps: "It takes a lot of imagination to think up a more chaotic transition phase than that in Egypt. Certain presidential candidates were excluded from the vote for more or less obscure reasons, the brand new parliament is already constantly blocked and the army is playing a game of cat-and-mouse with the Islamists where even the most patient observers have lost track. To top it all, the election begins today even though it's not yet clear what powers the next head of state will have. … And still: the passion that the Egyptians are putting into their first encounter with democracy shows that behind the scenes something very important is happening. … The Egyptians still have a long way to go, because the future of their country is at stake. But they are making the task of shaping that future all their own."

After a bomb attack that left at least 70 dead in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday, the UN Security Council has called for the implementation of special envoy Kofí Annan's peace plan. But this appeal only highlights the West's impotence, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera writes: » more

After a bomb attack that left at least 70 dead in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday, the UN Security Council has called for the implementation of special envoy Kofí Annan's peace plan. But this appeal only highlights the West's impotence, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera writes: "Can we hide behind Annan's peace plan? Despite all the good intentions the plan has failed and there are only two options left: either to give up silently or, as Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan has demanded, to deploy thousands of UN peacekeeping soldiers to Syria with a UN mandate, as was done in Libya. But Russia and China won't approve the deployment of UN troops and it would without doubt be the first step towards a new war. This explains the West's powerlessness. But Bashar al-Assad and other potential authors of yesterday's attacks should not underestimate the power of the blood-soaked images. It wouldn't be the first time such horrors made possible tomorrow what seems impossible today."

Egypt's state-owned gas company EGAS announced on Sunday that it is terminating its agreement to supply Israel with natural gas. The decision has been greeted enthusiastically by the Egyptians, but the country needs to focus on its own problems, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse warns: » more

Egypt's state-owned gas company EGAS announced on Sunday that it is terminating its agreement to supply Israel with natural gas. The decision has been greeted enthusiastically by the Egyptians, but the country needs to focus on its own problems, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse warns: "Many who protested against Mubarak suspected that the gas agreement with Israel was a front for a dirty deal - aimed at filling the private coffers of a few prominent regime figures and working to the disadvantage of the Egyptian state. ... Many Egyptians are satisfied to see that the gas deal with Israel has collapsed. If there were irregularities regarding the deal, they need to be clarified. But it makes little sense to try and divert attention from Egypt's problems by hitting out at the Arab man on the street's 'favourite enemy'. The problems are too serious for that."

The electoral commission in Egypt has reiterated its decision to exclude ten candidates from the presidential election. This puts popular candidates out of the running, including the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, ex-secret service boss Omar Suleiman, and the radical Islamist preacher Hasem Abu Ismail. Egypt's revolution is far from over, Egyptian-born journalist Mona Eltahawy comments in the left-liberal daily The Guardian: » more

The electoral commission in Egypt has reiterated its decision to exclude ten candidates from the presidential election. This puts popular candidates out of the running, including the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, ex-secret service boss Omar Suleiman, and the radical Islamist preacher Hasem Abu Ismail. Egypt's revolution is far from over, Egyptian-born journalist Mona Eltahawy comments in the left-liberal daily The Guardian: "Ever since the military coup in 1952 to end the monarchy and British occupation, the army has arrested just about every kind of development. So it's really not unsurprising that we're left to ask, a little over a month before we're supposed to choose Mubarak's alternative: who is the best of the worst? For a few fevered weeks it was 'who is the least scary?' until the election commission disqualified 10 candidates, three of whom in particular elicited various fears. ... The whole point of overthrowing Mubarak was that we had ended fear. The revolution continues, not just to end military rule but to provide alternatives to the best of the worst."

The ceasefire that went into effect in Syria on Thursday has held so far despite widespread doubts that it could succeed. It is part of ... » more

The ceasefire that went into effect in Syria on Thursday has held so far despite widespread doubts that it could succeed. It is part of the peace plan mediated by UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan. But the plan only makes sense if it can pave the way for a political transformation, commentators write, doubting the honesty of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The controversial Formula 1 race in Bahrain won't be called off despite the unrest in the country, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) announced today, Friday. There had been numerous calls for the race to be cancelled from organisations like Amnesty International. The whole discussion is just about money, not human rights, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera points out: » more

The controversial Formula 1 race in Bahrain won't be called off despite the unrest in the country, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) announced today, Friday. There had been numerous calls for the race to be cancelled from organisations like Amnesty International. The whole discussion is just about money, not human rights, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera points out: "Bahrain yes or no? A year after the unrest the Arab Spring still hasn't ended in Bahrain, and perhaps never even began. ... The revolution is too serious a matter to allow the starting line to decide its fate. … No one is worried about human rights in Bahrain or any other country; wouldn't they hold the race in China or Malaysia? But the teams are worried about having to pay high contractual penalties for a boycott, while the Sheik of Manama is anxious about his investment in the McLaren drivers."

If peace still eludes Syria it is due to its false friends, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

If peace still eludes Syria it is due to its false friends, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "The billions in funding for the rebellion to be supplied by Saudi Arabia and Qatar and perhaps supplemented by America and dozens of other countries will be more decisive in determining whether Assad falls and what happens afterwards. It is just one of the many flagrant contradictions of this project that with their petro-dollars the Gulf kings plan to finance an uprising that they have paid much higher sums to their subjects to quell at home. ... Already the rebels suspect each other of trying to line their own pockets. And now more of this money is to flow into the country? … Saudi Arabia and Qatar are sowing discord among the already divided ranks of the fighters. They are promoting the brutalisation of a confrontation in which with each week that passes it becomes more difficult to distinguish between the victims and the perpetrators. But one thing they are not doing: contrary to the accusations they often face, this time they're not buying their way out of the conflict but buying in to it."

Because so far all diplomatic negotiations have failed the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino hopes that Assad's regime will simply self-destruct: » more

Because so far all diplomatic negotiations have failed the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino hopes that Assad's regime will simply self-destruct: "Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has made a principle of not adhering to agreements or deadlines. In doing so he is pursuing the strategy of deceit in which his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is world champion. ... Yet it's obvious that the Syrian regime is in a hopeless situation and simply struggling to survive now. … For lack of military and diplomatic solutions the West can only hope that the regime implodes. The military chiefs could give Assad the coup de grâce if they rise up against him."

Since no solution to the devastating Syrian conflict is currently in sight, protecting the civilian population must take top priority, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse demands: » more

Since no solution to the devastating Syrian conflict is currently in sight, protecting the civilian population must take top priority, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse demands: "There is at present no viable solution to Kofi Annan's diplomatic initiative. ... For that reason the establishment of a protection zone, as proposed by Turkey, is the most probable and feasible solution. In Northern Iraq a protection zone for Kurds fleeing Saddam Hussein served its purpose well. And as long as the international community can't agree on mutual action against the Assad regime it must ensure that the suffering of the Syrian civilian population is at least kept to a minimum. A veto by China or Russia against such a proposal would be unforgivable."

The Nato states must intervene more decisively in the Syria conflict before it spreads any further, the left-liberal daily The Gurdian urges: » more

The Nato states must intervene more decisively in the Syria conflict before it spreads any further, the left-liberal daily The Gurdian urges: "Strategically speaking, the western rationale for non-intervention in Syria has sprung some Titanic-size holes. The Turkish and Lebanese incidents are a measure of how one justification for inaction - that direct western involvement could precipitate a wider conflict - is now very much beside the point. Syria is burning out of control. The fire is already spreading. ... All these various [horror] scenarios remain dangerous, worrisome and unpredictable. But the point is, they move closer to being the reality with every rebellious day that passes."

In a surprise move, the long-standing secret service boss and temporary vice-president of the Mubarak regime, Omar Suleiman, declared his candidacy in the Egyptian presidential elections slated to begin on May 23 just before the deadline runs out on Friday. The only people who aren't running in the elections are those who launched the Egyptian revolution in the first place, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore complains: » more

In a surprise move, the long-standing secret service boss and temporary vice-president of the Mubarak regime, Omar Suleiman, declared his candidacy in the Egyptian presidential elections slated to begin on May 23 just before the deadline runs out on Friday. The only people who aren't running in the elections are those who launched the Egyptian revolution in the first place, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore complains: "In the last minute Omar Suleiman has also re-emerged from the fog of the old regime. ... The Muslim Brotherhood, with its surprise candidate Khairat el-Shater, a rich and wily businessman, can hardly complain about this about-face. ... These two will lead the race in the end. The voters must decide for what they see as the lesser evil: a watered-down version of the old, secular regime or a no less watered-down version of political Islam. The initiators of the Egyptian spring, on the other hand, are out of the race: the bloggers and the youths on Tahrir Square. They no longer have any influence on the immediate future of the country."

Syrian troops are to withdraw from militarily contested cities today, Tuesday, in line with the peace plan mediated by UN special envoy Kofi Annan. However President Bashar al-Assad has stipulated that the opposition must give written guarantees that it will refrain from any more violence as a condition for his troops' withdrawal. This comes as no surprise, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: » more

Syrian troops are to withdraw from militarily contested cities today, Tuesday, in line with the peace plan mediated by UN special envoy Kofi Annan. However President Bashar al-Assad has stipulated that the opposition must give written guarantees that it will refrain from any more violence as a condition for his troops' withdrawal. This comes as no surprise, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: "The demand fits in with the earlier statements from Damascus and its two key allies, Russia and China. Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria these two UN Security Council heavyweights have stressed the need for the same demands to be made from both parties. And with this argument they have blocked the UN resolutions against Damascus. This is why Assad's stance was only to be expected. But the timing of its announcement, 48 hours before the withdrawal begins, reinforces the critics' view that the ruler of Damascus has no intention of fulfilling his promise to Kofi Annan but is just trying to buy time. ... But this strategy can only succeed if Moscow and Beijing stick to their stance."

Contrary to previous announcements Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood nominated its own candidate for the presidential election slated for the end of May, which has provoked protest from the constituent assembly, with all 24 representatives of the secular parties and the Copts declaring a boycott against the assembly. The Catholic daily Avvenire fears that the Muslim Brothers will continue their double-dealing: » more

Contrary to previous announcements Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood nominated its own candidate for the presidential election slated for the end of May, which has provoked protest from the constituent assembly, with all 24 representatives of the secular parties and the Copts declaring a boycott against the assembly. The Catholic daily Avvenire fears that the Muslim Brothers will continue their double-dealing: "Despite the protests the Islamist bloc intends to have Egypt enshrined as an Islamic state based on sharia law in the constitution. ... Egypt is embarking on a dangerous path with this step. ... The Muslim Brothers are masters of hypocrisy: on the one hand they cast themselves as defenders of tolerance and democracy, on the other they cling steadfastly to the principles of political Islam, of fundamentalism. Their presidential candidate Khairat al-Shater is a world champion in double-dealing: conservative and pragmatic, a centralising force within the movement while conducting dialogue with the outside world, a theoretician of Islamic economy and a great friend of Wall Street."

According to media reports Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States plan to supply the rebels in Syria with 74.9 million euros in funding for the coming three months. The liberal daily Turun Sanomat fears that the conflict could spread as a result: » more

According to media reports Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States plan to supply the rebels in Syria with 74.9 million euros in funding for the coming three months. The liberal daily Turun Sanomat fears that the conflict could spread as a result: "The Sunni states of Saudi Arabia and Qatar want to isolate Syria, which is led by Alawite Shia, and arm the Sunni opposition fighting against Al-Assad. This is the aim of the resolution passed by Saudi Arabia and other Arab states on the Persian Gulf that will set up millions in funding to reward soldiers who defect to the rebel side. ... Providing arms to the rebels, who are currently at a military disadvantage, is a 'creative compromise' because the unity of the international community won't stretch to anything more at present. The danger with this solution is that it will prolong the violent conflict in Syria, causing it to escalate into a full-blown civil war."

The Arab Spring has forced the US to redefine its foreign policy, with the danger that the country's national security could be pushed into the background, writes US political scientist Henry Kissinger in a commentary published in the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: » more

The Arab Spring has forced the US to redefine its foreign policy, with the danger that the country's national security could be pushed into the background, writes US political scientist Henry Kissinger in a commentary published in the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: "As the United States is withdrawing from military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan undertaken on the basis (however disputed) of American national security, it is reengaging in several other states in the region (albeit uncertainly) in the name of humanitarian intervention. Will democratic reconstruction replace national interest as the lodestar of Middle East policy? Is democratic reconstruction what the Arab Spring in fact represents? ... The revolution will have to be judged by its destination, not its origin; its outcome, not its proclamations. For the United States, a doctrine of general humanitarian intervention in Middle East revolutions will prove unsustainable unless linked to a concept of American national security. ... Within the framework of these general limits, U.S. policy has significant scope for creativity in promoting humanitarian and democratic values."

The Council of Europe accused Italy, Nato and Libya of being responsible for the death of 63 refugees on a boat that was crossing the Mediterranean in March 2011. Europe doesn't want to help, columnist Sheila Sitalsing writes in the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: » more

The Council of Europe accused Italy, Nato and Libya of being responsible for the death of 63 refugees on a boat that was crossing the Mediterranean in March 2011. Europe doesn't want to help, columnist Sheila Sitalsing writes in the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "The special thing about this story is that it was documented. It is not a unique case. In 2011 around 1,500 illegal immigrants disappeared in the Mediterranean. Some of them must have been seen. They are players in a hopeless game. Europe neither can nor wants to take them in. Only a few days after the boat drama Berlusconi and Sarkozy had a row about the many Northern Africans who were slipping through Italy's leaky border to make their way to Paris. On Facebook the Arab Spring was great, but once it produced hordes of refugees heading for Berlin or Amsterdam the party was soon over."

Although the peace plan has little chance of success it may offer the opportunity to reduce the suffering of the Syrian people somewhat, writes the left-liberal daily The Guardian: » more

Although the peace plan has little chance of success it may offer the opportunity to reduce the suffering of the Syrian people somewhat, writes the left-liberal daily The Guardian: "The success of such a plan, in other words, depends on persuading both sides that it will allow them to set a trap for the other. It also depends on the outside powers continuing to feel that their purposes are served by such a process. Russian and Chinese obstruction has been driven by two perceptions, the first that it was not realistic to expect a rebel victory, even with outside aid, and the second that the United States should not be allowed to get away with another unilateral, domineering act in the Middle East. America, on the other hand, may feel it has gone too far out on a limb in insisting on Assad's departure without being able to compel it. If the plan falls, that would not be a surprise. If it, or something like it, succeeds, it will only extend the conflict in a new form, but one which might reduce its human costs."

At last the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ceded ground, the liberal Financial Times Deutschland comments with delight, but goes on to warn that the dictator should be treated with utmost caution: » more

At last the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ceded ground, the liberal Financial Times Deutschland comments with delight, but goes on to warn that the dictator should be treated with utmost caution: "Assad now has two possibilities: either he is serious about his peace intentions and will implement the Annan plan, the details of which have yet to be worked out. In that case he must negotiate with the opposition, tolerate journalists in the country and above all order a ceasefire. Or he continues using his soldiers and police to attack the demonstrators and reaffirms the distrust with which he is regarded even by his loyal allies in Moscow and Beijing. For Russia and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, are backing the peace plan. … Nonetheless Assad still cannot be trusted. It's conceivable that he's just buying time to save his position as head of state or even just his own head: counter to the demands of numerous heads of state and government - and naturally the Syrian opposition - Annan has not mentioned the possibility of resigning."

By agreeing to the peace plan Bashar al-Assad has the reins in his hand once more and can dictate his conditions to the UN, the liberal daily La Stampa writes, complaining about the deal: » more

By agreeing to the peace plan Bashar al-Assad has the reins in his hand once more and can dictate his conditions to the UN, the liberal daily La Stampa writes, complaining about the deal: "Assad has achieved what Gaddafi failed to accomplish because of the Nato operation. The Syrian president can now calmly turn his attention to the political side of the conflict. He has emerged strengthened and can afford to open up because the UN's six-point plan lacks the one point that would have met with resistance in Damascus: a demand for Assad's resignation. At the end of the day all the regime has done is to commit - and only on paper - to some not overly stringent conditions that will allow the United Nations to play the role of credible mediator once more."

The British daily The Guardian revealed on Wednesday night that it is in possession of more than 3,000 private emails purportedly written by Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle. The emails were allegedly leaked to the newspaper by members of the Syrian opposition. But the content of the mails is rather trivial, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse writes: » more

The British daily The Guardian revealed on Wednesday night that it is in possession of more than 3,000 private emails purportedly written by Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle. The emails were allegedly leaked to the newspaper by members of the Syrian opposition. But the content of the mails is rather trivial, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse writes: "Put together, the pieces of the email puzzle don't reveal the mosaic of a monster but of a man who buys music and apps at the Apple iTunes store and doesn't forget to compliment his wife by sending her a song by Blake Shelton: 'Cos God gave me you for the ups and downs'. When you read the text of the song it's difficult to reconcile this picture of the man with the images of the horrors of Homs for which Assad bears direct responsibility. The question of 'cui bono' therefore appears to support the claims that the emails are genuine."

The protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began with student rallies in Damascus on March 15, 2011. A year later the country is caught up in a civil war that according to the UN has already cost 8,000 lives. The international community is vacillating, Washington issues threats and Moscow warns of the danger of the internationalisation of the conflict, whereby paradoxically Russia's stance seems the most convincing in the present situation, writes the Catholic daily Avvenire: » more

The protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began with student rallies in Damascus on March 15, 2011. A year later the country is caught up in a civil war that according to the UN has already cost 8,000 lives. The international community is vacillating, Washington issues threats and Moscow warns of the danger of the internationalisation of the conflict, whereby paradoxically Russia's stance seems the most convincing in the present situation, writes the Catholic daily Avvenire: "The problem is that Moscow - unfortunately - is right. Russia, which despite defending Syria doesn't dispute Assad's excesses, seems to have better arguments than the US and the West, even if its motivations derive from an anachronistic, 19th century view of the world and a blatantly callous pursuit of its own interests. The surprising thing about the explanations of the White House and the Foreign Ministry is how they always relapse into monotonousness every time a crisis escalates beyond a certain point. At that point America seems no longer able to withstand the pressure. It loses its patience and starts nervously stroking its revolver."

Russia and China continue to block UN intervention in Syria with their vetos. The French intellectual André Glucksmann denounces the EU's hesitant diplomacy and its dependence on Beijing and Moscow in the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more

Russia and China continue to block UN intervention in Syria with their vetos. The French intellectual André Glucksmann denounces the EU's hesitant diplomacy and its dependence on Beijing and Moscow in the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "It's high time Europe remembered its anti-totalitarian foundations and supported all those people who today seek to emulate the examples it gave them in the past. What form should help take? And how can we help each other? By starting to voice our opinions loud and clear, by exposing false excuses and pretexts on decisive matters. Today's paradox: the despot arms himself to the teeth and his friends supply him with all he needs. Meanwhile the oppressed are being denied any means to defend themselves. Can we allow their protection to depend on a non-intervention resolution? Must we accept that the murderers should avail themselves of the free market while their victims are forced to submit without resistance? ... Once more we must say with calm resolve that these two major powers are trampling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - and with it the United Nations - underfoot."

The UN Security Council once again failed to reach a decision on how to deal with the violence in Syria at its meeting in New York on Monday. The Syrian opposition reported 92 deaths on the same day and urgently called for military intervention from abroad. The UN members must finally defend the value of human life, the daily Diário de Notícias demands: » more

The UN Security Council once again failed to reach a decision on how to deal with the violence in Syria at its meeting in New York on Monday. The Syrian opposition reported 92 deaths on the same day and urgently called for military intervention from abroad. The UN members must finally defend the value of human life, the daily Diário de Notícias demands: "For a year now Bashar al-Assad has faced the growing opposition of his people that has lead to 8,550 deaths and barbaric deeds - like the massacre in Homs that was revealed on Monday. But the 'Syrian problem' has long since ceased to be an internal affair. In their various aspects the ethnic and religious factors that define Syrian society have repercussions for the entire region. A region that is burdened with problems like the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the insecurities in Iraq, the Iranian nuclear programme, the future of Afghanistan - and even that of Pakistan. … Meanwhile the major powers in New York point to general principles to justify their strategies, in which there is no place for the 'human factor'. But there are times when the diplomats should remember that there are no geopolitical equations without people - and that their lives have a value."

The Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad may be rapidly losing supporters but his downfall is still a long way off, according to the liberal paper The Independent: » more

The Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad may be rapidly losing supporters but his downfall is still a long way off, according to the liberal paper The Independent: "There are some optimistic straws in the wind, not the least of which is that several senior figures in the military have now switched to the opposition. ... There are subtle shifts in the international community, too. Washington is talking of supplying the rebels with non-lethal aid and President Obama has asked the Pentagon to set out military options. China's envoy has told President Assad to stop the violence. And even Russia's President-elect, Vladimir Putin, has said he has no intention of providing asylum for the dictator if he is forced out. But Syria's rebels are fragmented and poorly equipped. They have no tanks or artillery and their leaders are disorganised. It is a long road to the end of the Assad regime, and this week's developments are just a few tiny steps along it."

Syria's deputy oil minister Abdo Hussameddin defected from the government to join the rebels and publicly distanced himself from Bashar al-Assad's government in a video-taped message on Thursday. Now is the time for the international community to step up the pressure and ensure that the conflict ends soon and without bloodshed, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: » more

Syria's deputy oil minister Abdo Hussameddin defected from the government to join the rebels and publicly distanced himself from Bashar al-Assad's government in a video-taped message on Thursday. Now is the time for the international community to step up the pressure and ensure that the conflict ends soon and without bloodshed, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: "Assad no longer has the situation under control; the first cracks are starting to show in his regime, and economically it can't hold out for much longer. … So the top priority now is to crank up the pressure on Assad. And this means at least implying the military option, as the Americans are cautiously doing for the first time. … The strategic goal must be the resignation of the Syrian president. … To make the decision easier for Assad he should be urged more clearly than before to consider the option of fleeing the country and seeking asylum. He must be aware by now, given the warning examples in his neighbouring countries, that if he refuses, pretty soon he is likely to end up on trial before the International Court of Justice - or worse."

The Syrian army has continued its attacks on the rebel stronghold city of Homs. The situation in Homs reminds Bosnian journalists Reuf Bajrović and Emir Suljagić of the siege war in Bosnia in the 1990s and prompts them to call for Western intervention in the liberal weekly Die Zeit: » more

The Syrian army has continued its attacks on the rebel stronghold city of Homs. The situation in Homs reminds Bosnian journalists Reuf Bajrović and Emir Suljagić of the siege war in Bosnia in the 1990s and prompts them to call for Western intervention in the liberal weekly Die Zeit: "The crimes against humanity that Bashar al-Assad's regime is committing in Syria are nothing more than a repeat of the ethnic cleansing practices carried out in the 1990s on the Balkans. … The Free Syrian Army was founded to protect unarmed demonstrators from Assad's soldiers. Arming them would help to end the bloodshed. … To leave the Free Syrian Army to its own devices would only increase its vulnerability to radical ideologies and questionable allies. ... This could prevent the formation of a democratic and prospering society in Syria for decades. Here, too, the Bosnian experience can teach a lesson: even in an environment that was far less favourable for extremists, certain sections of Bosnian society turned to extremist ideologies two decades ago."

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had the people of Syria vote on a constitutional reform on Sunday, while his brutal treatment of the rebels continues. A quick end to the conflict is not in sight given how divided the opposition is, the left-liberal daily Der Standard comments: » more

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had the people of Syria vote on a constitutional reform on Sunday, while his brutal treatment of the rebels continues. A quick end to the conflict is not in sight given how divided the opposition is, the left-liberal daily Der Standard comments: "The Syrian opposition, both inside and outside the country, has proven completely incapable of doing what the Libyan rebels did so well, regardless of how fragmented they have been since Muammar al-Gaddafi's overthrow, namely transcending their differences during the uprising in the name of a common goal. Of course the comparison is unfair. Libyan society is homogeneous at least religiously, and the country's territory was not the stage of a religious power struggle like that between Iran and Saudi-Arabia in Syria. But the Syrian handicap still doesn't explain the sorry picture painted by the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC). Nevertheless at some point the Europeans and the US will have to take action and recognise it, simply for lack of an alternative. But a lot will have to happen for the SNC to be trusted with managing the Syrian transition."

Representatives from 60 countries will meet with the Syrian opposition today in Tunis today, Friday, to discuss solutions to the violence and the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Following the death of the two Western journalists Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik the West is obliged to act, writes the conservative daily The Times: » more

Representatives from 60 countries will meet with the Syrian opposition today in Tunis today, Friday, to discuss solutions to the violence and the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Following the death of the two Western journalists Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik the West is obliged to act, writes the conservative daily The Times: "The practical arguments against military intervention in Syria are overwhelming. But there is a lot that can be done short of marching in. The success of our intervention in Libya and the absence of intervention in Syria is redeeming the argument that was lost in Iraq. The lesson is simple. If you take on a fascist you get chaos. If you don't take on a fascist you get chaos. It's the nature of the beast and sometimes we forget that it's the fascist that's the beast, not us. We're better than that and in our actions we will show it."

Marie Colvin, the US war correspondent killed in Homs, was convinced of the importance of the job she was doing. The left-liberal daily The Guardian reprints a speech given by Colvin at a service for disabled war veterans in London in November 2010: » more

Marie Colvin, the US war correspondent killed in Homs, was convinced of the importance of the job she was doing. The left-liberal daily The Guardian reprints a speech given by Colvin at a service for disabled war veterans in London in November 2010: "Covering a war means going to places torn by chaos, destruction and death, and trying to bear witness. It means trying to find the truth in a sandstorm of propaganda when armies, tribes or terrorists clash. And yes, it means taking risks. ... Our mission is to report these horrors of war with accuracy and without prejudice. We always have to ask ourselves whether the level of risk is worth the story. What is bravery, and what is bravado? Journalists covering combat shoulder great responsibilities and face difficult choices. Sometimes they pay the ultimate price."

The reporters' deaths highlight how important journalists are in the fight against dictatorial oppression, the left-liberal daily Libération writes: » more

The reporters' deaths highlight how important journalists are in the fight against dictatorial oppression, the left-liberal daily Libération writes: "It is clear from the deaths of Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik that in his effort to cling on to power, Bashar al-Assad is deliberately targeting the witnesses of his barbarity. The Syrian dictator's artillerymen fired on the improvised 'press centre' that served to report on the horrific massive bombardments of the civilian population. ... The death of these reporters reminds critics of the media, as well as those who believe that everything is available on the web, that there are men and women who are ready to risk their lives to keep people informed. Without their reports Assad - like so many others before him - could have continued killing and torturing his people with impunity. Their stories and their images may seem like weak barricades against the flood of barbarity. But this makes them all the more important."

At least 120 people have been killed in the past two days in attacks on the Syrian city of Homs, including two Western journalists. The left-liberal daily De Morgen accuses the West of passivity: » more

At least 120 people have been killed in the past two days in attacks on the Syrian city of Homs, including two Western journalists. The left-liberal daily De Morgen accuses the West of passivity: "The political leaders have harshly condemned Assad and lamented the number of civil victims. But lamenting won't save lives. Since the failed resolution in the UN Security Council almost a month ago Western politicians have done little or nothing to break through the blockade. Russia and China are the scapegoats behind which everyone can hide. The debate is marked by a lack of resolution and sense of urgency. And this despite the fact that in such an urgent situation one could expect every possible step that could lead to concrete action to be considered: resuming negotiations with Russia, shuttle diplomacy, direct talks with Assad, cutting off Damascus militarily. But nothing is happening."

Russia and China have blocked a resolution against the Syrian regime with their veto in the UN Security Council. The politician Bruno Tertrais criticises veto rights as obsolete in the conservative daily Le Figaro: » more

Russia and China have blocked a resolution against the Syrian regime with their veto in the UN Security Council. The politician Bruno Tertrais criticises veto rights as obsolete in the conservative daily Le Figaro: "Today the international community is at the mercy of political decisions taken by two authoritarian regimes: in one the tone is set by a mafia-like oligarchy and all-powerful secret service, while the other is ruled by a corrupt political-military elite whose highest goal is to hold on to power. Must the fate of nations under threat be held hostage by institutions like the FSB, Russia's internal secret service, the Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army? That's what comes of the golden rule of only acting on the basis of a resolution by the Security Council."

Around 500 Syrians have fled to Belgium to escape the bloody fighting in Syria so far. But their applications for asylum are not being processed owing to the unclear situation in the country, the liberal daily De Standaard reports, explaining the dilemma faced by the authorities: » more

Around 500 Syrians have fled to Belgium to escape the bloody fighting in Syria so far. But their applications for asylum are not being processed owing to the unclear situation in the country, the liberal daily De Standaard reports, explaining the dilemma faced by the authorities: "Is the uncertainty a disgrace? Is it inhumane? At first glance, yes. But the matter is more complex. Countries who we trust more when it comes to immigration, like Norway and Sweden, are doing the same. Once the applications of the Syrians are processed officially this will mean that those who can furnish enough evidence will be allowed to stay, while the rest are sent back. Judging by the unclear situation in the country, the latter group will not be a small one. But to send people back would be completely inhumane. Until we can make clear decisions, processing the applications for asylum will have cruel repercussions. … Years ago the special status of limited residency was created when a similar situation arose with the former Yugoslavia. … It seems the time has come to do the same for the Syrians."

The Arab League on Sunday called on the UN to create a common peace force to put an end to the violent conflict between Syrian rebels and the regime. The left-liberal daily Der Standard finds the idea of such a joint mission completely illusory: » more

The Arab League on Sunday called on the UN to create a common peace force to put an end to the violent conflict between Syrian rebels and the regime. The left-liberal daily Der Standard finds the idea of such a joint mission completely illusory: "Syria won't agree and the UN Security Council will not be able to pass a corresponding resolution. Military intervention is out of the question for all parties: the groups fighting the regime are far too fragmented and untransparent. One could easily find oneself on the same side with Jihadists who have infiltrated the country from Iraq. Supplying weapons is problematic for the same reason. And it is also wishful thinking to believe the Arab Gulf States calling for an Arab Front against Syria have suddenly adopted the principles of democracy and a 'responsibility to protect'. All of that doesn't make the regime in Syria one whit better. But it shows that the opposite of evil is not necessarily good."

According to reports in the media, more than 50 people were killed on Thursday in the western Syrian protest stronghold of Homs. The West must decide now whether to arm the rebels, demands the liberal-conservative daily The Times: » more

According to reports in the media, more than 50 people were killed on Thursday in the western Syrian protest stronghold of Homs. The West must decide now whether to arm the rebels, demands the liberal-conservative daily The Times: "The limits of Western rhetoric are now becoming increasingly apparent. A powerful alliance is emerging, led by the Arab League but including the United States, France and the UK. If the calls to help the rebels end even with the provision of arms, a threshold will have been crossed into a conflict. The West will have taken sides. This is a momentous decision and it cannot be taken casually or reactively. It needs a considered plan and it is now past time that the American and French Presidents and the British Prime Minister met the Arab League, at a place of the latter's choosing, to hold a summit on Syria at which they lay out their plans for action."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Syria on Tuesday has made it clear that the Western and Arab world have resignedly left the field to Russian diplomacy, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Syria on Tuesday has made it clear that the Western and Arab world have resignedly left the field to Russian diplomacy, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "When even EU foreign minister Ashton is now vociferously demanding Assad's departure nothing can conceal the powerlessness of the West and the Arab League after the Russian-Chinese veto at the UN. Assad feels protected by an invisible armour, namely the repeated declarations that there will be no military intervention in Syria. Libya was a tough lesson and still is, even if few in the West are ready to admit this. It cannot be repeated. ... Damascus could trigger a chain reaction with unforeseeable consequences. Against this backdrop Russia is manoeuvring with all the deftness of a bear. Lavrov achieved next to nothing, and yet it would be wrong to describe his mission as insignificant. Russia is relying on a 'Yemeni solution' - a transitional phase after which Assad will be succeeded by someone agreeable to the Kremlin, who will protect its interests in the region."

The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov travels to Damascus today to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The liberal daily Göteborgs-Posten doubts that the ... » more

The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov travels to Damascus today to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The liberal daily Göteborgs-Posten doubts that the talks will end the bloodshed in Syria. "Russia has a unique opportunity to exert pressure on Syria's dictator. ... But there is not much hope. Lavrov is seeking political dialogue. But Assad is literally fighting for his survival after having rejected all the options for a compromise. Everything points to the civil war continuing and the situation further deteriorating in Syria before it finally improves. ... Russia and China bear a heavy burden of responsibility for this, having consistently ignored the suffering and acted solely according to the principle that nations don't have friends, only interests."

The Middle East has still not calmed down since the launch of the freedom movement last year. But it took other democracies up to 200 years to stabilise themselves, Richard Herzinger writes consolingly in the conservative Welt am Sonntag: » more

The Middle East has still not calmed down since the launch of the freedom movement last year. But it took other democracies up to 200 years to stabilise themselves, Richard Herzinger writes consolingly in the conservative Welt am Sonntag: "Nevertheless it is worth remembering that revolutionary upheavals like those which have gripped the Middle East generally tend to result in many decades of bloody confusion, terrible mistakes and cruel wars. Yet the central problem posed by revolutions has always been how to rein in the violence they generate and curtail it through institutions. The American Revolution was to a certain extent exemplary in achieving this while the terrorism of the French Revolution initially got out of hand - not to mention the Russian Revolution. In total 200 years passed before democracy was firmly established in the Western world. Remembering to think along the long lines of history can at least help us not to despair at the current atrocities unfolding in the Middle East - and to focus on doggedly fighting the worst inhumanities instead of hankering after visions of an ideal democratic future."

Protesting continued in Egypt on Thursday after 74 people died in rioting that broke out during a football match in Port Said. Police shot at demonstrators in Suez, leaving two dead. The angry protesters are calling for the resignation of the chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Hussein Tantawi. The liberal daily Corriere del Ticino backs their demands: » more

Protesting continued in Egypt on Thursday after 74 people died in rioting that broke out during a football match in Port Said. Police shot at demonstrators in Suez, leaving two dead. The angry protesters are calling for the resignation of the chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Hussein Tantawi. The liberal daily Corriere del Ticino backs their demands: "Behind the unrest is the long hand of the old regime, whose main aim is to plunge Egypt into chaos. There can be no doubt, the riots in Port Said were planned and had nothing to do with football. In this way the military council seeks to justify its harsh rule and the need to stay in power until a civil government takes over. That is planned for June 2012, while the demonstrators are calling for an immediate handover of power. In addition the military council wants to prevent the state of emergency from being lifted at all costs. The riots are a further attempt to prevent the democratisation of Egypt."

The UN Security Council failed to reach agreement on Tuesday evening over a resolution on an end to violence in Syria. To prevent a civil war the Syrian people must be freed from dictator Bashar al-Assad, the left-liberal daily Libération demands: » more

The UN Security Council failed to reach agreement on Tuesday evening over a resolution on an end to violence in Syria. To prevent a civil war the Syrian people must be freed from dictator Bashar al-Assad, the left-liberal daily Libération demands: "The Arab League, until now considered a club of tyranny, has called for the resignation of the Syrian torturer and is now working to achieve this goal. This confirms that dictators in the Middle East may no longer torture and kill their populations with impunity. Nevertheless Assad's departure is not yet a sure thing. Assad is now fuelling ethnic conflict in his fragile, fragmented country, and fanning the flames of civil war. Nothing can be worse than Bashar al-Assad remaining in power. The transition will be difficult and dangerous, but thousands of Syrians have laid down their lives in the fight for freedom, and the people have a right to democracy."

The Arab League suspended its observer mission in Syria on Saturday, after which the Syrian military cracked down harder on the opposition on Sunday. The UK and its allies must now persuade China and Russia to introduce sanctions, the liberal-conservative daily The Times demands: » more

The Arab League suspended its observer mission in Syria on Saturday, after which the Syrian military cracked down harder on the opposition on Sunday. The UK and its allies must now persuade China and Russia to introduce sanctions, the liberal-conservative daily The Times demands: "A regime that murders civilians by the thousand loses its presumption of sovereignty. The genocide committed by Saddam Hussein against the Iraqi Kurds and attempted by Slobodan Milosevic against Kosovan Albanians ought to have demonstrated that lesson. Britain and its allies on the Security Council should impress on Russia and China, who have thus far been averse to sanctions against Syria, that Mr Assad must stand down. The Arab League, having inadvertently provided cover for the repression, should be at the forefront of that diplomatic effort. The longer Mr Assad remains, the greater the risk that the eventual reckoning for his regime will be terrible."

The revolutions of the Arab Spring will only be truly successful once the countries in question curtail the power of the military, writes Pakistani economist Shahid Javed Burki in the daily Público: » more

The revolutions of the Arab Spring will only be truly successful once the countries in question curtail the power of the military, writes Pakistani economist Shahid Javed Burki in the daily Público: "Since Islam's founding in the seventh century, it has maintained a tradition of strong military engagement in politics and governance. Indeed, Islam's increasing military prowess helped it to spread rapidly around the world. ... Today, the revolutions rocking much of the Muslim world are bedevilled by Islam's military past. In the first phase of these popular uprisings, those who had been politically and economically excluded began to demand inclusion and participation. Now a second phase is under way, marked by a serious effort to divest the old military establishment of its power. ... Since the Arab Spring began, four long-established regimes have been removed, while others are under increasing pressure, giving ordinary Arabs hope that their demands will no longer be ignored, and that those who govern will be mindful of citizens' needs. But that - the real revolution - will happen only when true representatives of citizens, rather than the military, begin to set their countries' political course."

In Egypt's first free parliamentary elections the Islamist parties have won right across the board, occupying roughly 70 percent of the 498 seats in parliament. Meanwhile the country's much touted revolutionary youth is barely represented. Egypt still has a long way to go before it can be considered a stable democracy, writes the daily Dagens Nyheter: » more

In Egypt's first free parliamentary elections the Islamist parties have won right across the board, occupying roughly 70 percent of the 498 seats in parliament. Meanwhile the country's much touted revolutionary youth is barely represented. Egypt still has a long way to go before it can be considered a stable democracy, writes the daily Dagens Nyheter: "The EU and US must keep an eye on the military and the Islamists. Encroachments must be criticised, but as long as the general direction is acceptable support should be made available. Human rights, political and religious rights are the basis of a democracy. That only two percent of the new members of parliament are women raises questions. The military should be subjected to civil controls as quickly as possible. The friendly relations with neighbouring countries, including Israel, must be protected. Egypt has already made considerable progress. Now it is important that it sticks to the course it has started out on."

Egypt's first freely elected parliament, in which Islamist parties of differing degrees of radicalness have the majority, holds its first session today. While the West must come to terms with this it must also make certain demands, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: » more

Egypt's first freely elected parliament, in which Islamist parties of differing degrees of radicalness have the majority, holds its first session today. While the West must come to terms with this it must also make certain demands, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: "That the elections went so smoothly is a huge success. The Egyptians can be proud of this. To condemn the victory of the Islamists would be just as counterproductive as to downplay its significance. For particularly as far as women's rights and the separation of state and religion (with ten percent of Christians basically a matter of state reason) are concerned, the Muslim Brothers will have to be watched very closely. They must be aware that they can hardly get along without the help of the West in overcoming the enormous economic and social problems. And the West must realise that it has to make this help contingent on certain conditions. It may be called blackmail - but it's certainly a clever tactic."

The first success of the Arab Spring came with the flight of Tunisian dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali one year ago, on January 14. The democratisation process that then ensued is the best protection against extremism, the liberal-conservative daily The Times maintains: » more

The first success of the Arab Spring came with the flight of Tunisian dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali one year ago, on January 14. The democratisation process that then ensued is the best protection against extremism, the liberal-conservative daily The Times maintains: "Arab democracy will not be the same as Scandinavian democracy, and the corruption and authoritarianism of decades are not easily superseded. But reform of the model of rule by military strongmen ... is long overdue. In Tunisian elections in October, an Islamist party won strong support: but in an encouraging portent it immediately started negotiations with secular parties. There is a moral rationale for letting the people choose, but also a pragmatic justification. It ensures that dissent can be expressed politically and not only through the mosque. The spread of liberty is ultimately the best inoculation against theocratic extremism. Citizens of Arab states have every reason to demand it, and Western states to welcome it."

In the trial against Hosni Mubarak the Egyptian public prosecutors demanded the death penalty for the former president on Thursday. Mubarak was responsible for the deadly shots against demonstrators last spring, public prosecutor Mustafa Sulaiman said in his final summation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung is incredulous and calls for proof: » more

In the trial against Hosni Mubarak the Egyptian public prosecutors demanded the death penalty for the former president on Thursday. Mubarak was responsible for the deadly shots against demonstrators last spring, public prosecutor Mustafa Sulaiman said in his final summation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung is incredulous and calls for proof: "It's hard to believe when you consider the friendly nature of the Egyptians, but it can't be ruled out that because of the sluggish progress being made with the reforms the intention is now to make an example of Mubarak and his former minister al-Adli, who is truly hated all over the country and is also standing trial. However it would be nice to know what 'incontrovertible evidence' there is that Mubarak is to blame for the deaths of more than eight hundred demonstrators. Such evidence may exist, but then it should be made public."

In 2011 not only in the Arab world but also many people in Russia, China and the West rose up against the powers that be. This trend will continue in the new year, Georg Hoffmann-Ostenhoff predicts on news portal Profil Online: » more

In 2011 not only in the Arab world but also many people in Russia, China and the West rose up against the powers that be. This trend will continue in the new year, Georg Hoffmann-Ostenhoff predicts on news portal Profil Online: "It looks like the new movements of the Internet generation are combining with traditional forms of battle. The anger at the unjust circumstances and the deposed political caste is combining with very concrete defence operations against attacks on living standards and the social security system. Lenin once said that a revolutionary situation arises 'when those on top are unable and those at the bottom are unwilling' to maintain the current order. This fits in well with what is happening in the Arab world. ... But also in the developed West the ruling powers are increasingly confused and those who are ruled over are increasingly angry. Revolutions may not be on the cards here but we have certainly come to a turning point. And it's also clear that as well as the state chancelleries and governments on the one hand and the stock exchanges and banks on the other - or in other words politics and the markets - a third player has gained importance: the people on the street. And they are cleverer than ever before."

Criticism of Arab League observers in Syria is growing in view of the Syrian security forces' continued use of violence against members of the opposition. But other measures also stand little chance of success, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: » more

Criticism of Arab League observers in Syria is growing in view of the Syrian security forces' continued use of violence against members of the opposition. But other measures also stand little chance of success, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: "The observers should take their work seriously because they have an important task to fulfil. If the Arab League defends the international measures in Syria as it did for Libya in the spring, Russia and China will have a hard time reducing the pressure on Syria in the UN Security Council. Otherwise it seems the international community has little prospect of helping the Syrian opposition. Turkey has proposed setting up a protection zone for refugees within Syria, controlled militarily from abroad. France has spoken out in favour of humanitarian aid to help the civilians trapped in the country. It remains unclear how widespread the support is for such measures. Also uncertain is whether they will really do any good, or merely lead to renewed clashes."

The year 2011 brought the downfall of several despotic rulers in the Arab world. What happens next remains uncertain but it is clear that a new attitude of civil disobedience has taken hold, writes journalist Ulrich Speck in the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

The year 2011 brought the downfall of several despotic rulers in the Arab world. What happens next remains uncertain but it is clear that a new attitude of civil disobedience has taken hold, writes journalist Ulrich Speck in the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "The transition from protesting subject to responsible citizen is a long one; we have known this since the French Revolution. And those who would keep their grip on power may have made a tactical withdrawal, but they can't be written off yet. ... In view of the communication revolution and the growing comparability of living conditions it entails, people are less and less willing to let themselves be intimidated by leaders. ... The message of 2011 is: no dictator is safe from his citizens any more."

The revolution in Egypt started on January 25, 2011 with the first demonstrations on Cairo's Tahrir Square. But the military and the likely victory of the Muslim Brotherhood are jeopardising the country's burgeoning democracy, writes the Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more

The revolution in Egypt started on January 25, 2011 with the first demonstrations on Cairo's Tahrir Square. But the military and the likely victory of the Muslim Brotherhood are jeopardising the country's burgeoning democracy, writes the Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "The recent events on Tahrir Square have forced us to revise our opinions. What took place a year ago in Egypt was not a revolution but a military putsch. Mubarak did not leave the country [sic] under the pressure of the protests - numerous though they were - but at the express wish of the military junta. ... No one is shedding any tears over his departure, but the population is calling for a fair trial and above all that the return of the billions of dollars he stole from the people. But the military has opted for a different course. It has robbed the people of their revolution, while everything points to an election victory for the Muslim Brothers. But this election is not democratic, because votes alone do not mean democracy. That requires recognition of the basic values of democracy. However religion is not always compatible with democracy."

Just as in the course of history only a few people stay in our memories the same is true with the years, writes Lluís Bassets in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, and says 2011 was more historical than 1989 when the Eastern bloc collapsed: » more

Just as in the course of history only a few people stay in our memories the same is true with the years, writes Lluís Bassets in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, and says 2011 was more historical than 1989 when the Eastern bloc collapsed: "And so 2011 emulates and even surpasses the year 1989 in every respect. A revolutionary wave has shook the foundations of power and the alliances throughout the Arab world. The anticipated nuclear renaissance was drowned out by the tsunami and disaster in Fukushima. The generation of conformists spoiled by years of prosperity have turned into indignant activists and occupied the streets and squares of Spain and even the US, in a wave of protests we hadn't witnessed since 1968. Europe has reacted to the financial crisis but at the expense of leaving behind the British - a rupture of historical dimensions and the greatest in the turbulent history of the relations between the United Kingdom and the European continent since the UK joined in 1973."

The Tunisian fruit and vegetable seller Mohamed Bouazizi, who set himself on fire in protest and in so doing sparked the Arab Spring, is the 2011 person of the year, writes the conservative daily The Times: » more

The Tunisian fruit and vegetable seller Mohamed Bouazizi, who set himself on fire in protest and in so doing sparked the Arab Spring, is the 2011 person of the year, writes the conservative daily The Times: "Because he did not have a licence, the authorities confiscated his produce in December last year. In frustration, he lit a fateful match. Its fire spread rapidly beyond himself to immolate a regime that had systematically misruled a country. ... Mr Bouazizi did not aim to change the world. No single person has been at the forefront of any of the many revolts which have spread across the Arab world, and no figure has yet emerged as an obvious leader for the future. The Arab League has changed for the better. Qatar has played an important helping hand. But the defining events of this year have been driven by the courage of countless people in the face of tyranny. Mohamed Bouazizi was one of them."

The Finnish cabinet has approved the export of 36 grenade launchers to Saudi Arabia, the biggest Finnish arms deal in ten years. The government should have had the oppression of the people in sight as well as the creation of jobs on the Finnish market when it made its decision to go ahead with the 150 million euro deal, the liberal daily Savon Sanomat admonishes: » more

The Finnish cabinet has approved the export of 36 grenade launchers to Saudi Arabia, the biggest Finnish arms deal in ten years. The government should have had the oppression of the people in sight as well as the creation of jobs on the Finnish market when it made its decision to go ahead with the 150 million euro deal, the liberal daily Savon Sanomat admonishes: "The problematic aspect about the deal is that Saudi Arabia is a dictatorship. Political parties aren't allowed in the country and there is not even freedom of association, let alone religious freedom. Torture and the death sentence are everyday occurrences. The Arab Spring failed to melt the icy dictatorship in Saudi Arabia. ... It would naturally be a total exaggeration to claim that Finland is endorsing the dictatorship and the violation of human rights with the arms deal. ... Yet the decision is irresponsible because in practice it means that weapons bought from the Finnish state - as the majority shareholder in the manufacturer - will be used to crush the democracy movement."

During clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Cairo on the Weekend a petrol bomb hit the Institute for the Advancement of Scientific Research, destroying a large number of historical manuscripts dating back to the times of Napoleon Bonaparte. The left-liberal daily Der Standard sees this is a portent: » more

During clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Cairo on the Weekend a petrol bomb hit the Institute for the Advancement of Scientific Research, destroying a large number of historical manuscripts dating back to the times of Napoleon Bonaparte. The left-liberal daily Der Standard sees this is a portent: "The arrival of Napoleon in Egypt is generally considered to mark the 'beginning of the modern age'. 2011 was to be the year in which the country finally emerged from its post-colonial period and entered the modern political age. This seems to have become a distant prospect once more. The military junta is reacting just as the Mubarak regime always did: lying and denying. The difference is that it's no longer the police but the good old patriotic army, which is naively seen as being on the side of the revolution just because it got rid of Hosni Mubarak, that is now being deployed against the demonstrators. And in the midst of this breakdown the first elections are taking place. What was supposed to be a celebration of democracy has become its burial."

Preliminary results indicate that the Party for Freedom and Justice (FJP), which has close ties to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, has won the first round of voting in Egypt's parliamentary elections. That does not bode well for the country's democratisation, writes the Christian paper Kristeligt Dagblad: » more

Preliminary results indicate that the Party for Freedom and Justice (FJP), which has close ties to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, has won the first round of voting in Egypt's parliamentary elections. That does not bode well for the country's democratisation, writes the Christian paper Kristeligt Dagblad: "The Muslim Brothers say that they want to build their government on a broad foundation of support. They don't really want to govern with the Salafists but with their own centre parties. This would be ideal for the Brotherhood because it gives them to a fig leaf for cover while internally they pursue an Islam-oriented agenda. If the Muslim Brothers unexpectedly democratise the country and create effective institutions and a pluralist society naturally one should support them. But unfortunately we must prepare ourselves for the more likely eventuality that the democratic revolution will be indefinitely postponed in Egypt."

Following the Western states' lead the Arab League also imposed sanctions against Syria on Sunday. This makes a peaceful solution to the conflict even less likely, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

Following the Western states' lead the Arab League also imposed sanctions against Syria on Sunday. This makes a peaceful solution to the conflict even less likely, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "If neither a putsch can be expected nor the Syrian ruler can be convinced to initiate a serious dialogue and gradual transferral of power, the most likely scenario is the country slipping further into a civil war with unforeseeable consequences and far-reaching implications. The regime has actively contributed to this by pitting different groups against each other, giving civilian gangs of thugs free rein and allowing the security forces to take control with complete impunity. A civil war that to all appearances is already a reality in certain parts of Syria but represents a threat not just for the Syrian population but for the entire region."

The first ever free parliamentary elections begin today, Monday, in Egypt. Around 40 million citizens will choose the occupants of just under 500 parliamentary seats while the army appoints another ten MPs. This election will shape the entire region, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more

The first ever free parliamentary elections begin today, Monday, in Egypt. Around 40 million citizens will choose the occupants of just under 500 parliamentary seats while the army appoints another ten MPs. This election will shape the entire region, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "Just as the protests in Cairo swept the wave of revolution into other Arab states, this election could also become a model for those countries. Not only the outcome of the election but also whether it goes off relatively smoothly will be of vital importance. The dramatic events of the past few days, with street protests that have resulted in dozens of deaths, give rise to fears of a different scenario. ... If developments move in the wrong direction this would also be a signal for other revolutions. That could be the end of the dream of better conditions in the Arab world."

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Egypt has appointed the former head of government Kamal Ganzouri as prime minister, the country's public broadcaster reported on Thursday evening. He succeeds Essam Sharaf, who tendered his resignation a week ago after the wave of protests against the military council broke out. The generals must withdraw, the left-liberal daily Politiken concludes: » more

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Egypt has appointed the former head of government Kamal Ganzouri as prime minister, the country's public broadcaster reported on Thursday evening. He succeeds Essam Sharaf, who tendered his resignation a week ago after the wave of protests against the military council broke out. The generals must withdraw, the left-liberal daily Politiken concludes: "The real question for Egypt's future will be whether the military will accept being subjugated to the civilians in a newly elected parliament. And whether it will accept a civilian - or someone not approved by the military - being elected to president next year. The military sees itself as the only guarantee for stability in this dominant Arab society. Many Egyptians no doubt would agree with this, and the majority of Egyptians are not demonstrating on Tahrir Square. But the military has had six decades to prove that it can ensure social and economic development and growing liberty. And it has failed. ... One thing is for sure: a return to life under military rule certainly won't help Egypt."

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced his resignation on Wednesday, but the demonstrations in the country continue. They are directed against the deal that guarantees ... » more

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced his resignation on Wednesday, but the demonstrations in the country continue. They are directed against the deal that guarantees immunity from criminal prosecution for Saleh and clears the way for Saleh's vice president Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi in the 90 days before elections take place. The liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung sides with the demonstrators. "The big losers of the deal signed in Saudi Arabia on the transfer of power are the activists, mostly young men, who have persisted with their demands for reforms in Sanaa since February and upheld the flag of the Arab Spring despite Saleh's snipers and torturers. The Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakel Karman is one of them. The agreement doesn't foresee the political and social revolution demanded by the activists. Instead a division of power based on the existing tribal structures was once again negotiated. This method of resolving conflict may have a long tradition but it won't bring Yemen forward."

The military council in Egypt announced on Tuesday that it was bringing the presidential elections six months forward, meaning that they would take place in the middle of next year. The demonstrators are not satisfied with the plan and continue to demand the dissolution of the council. In Egypt, unlike in Tunisia, the revolution will need a second phase, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more

The military council in Egypt announced on Tuesday that it was bringing the presidential elections six months forward, meaning that they would take place in the middle of next year. The demonstrators are not satisfied with the plan and continue to demand the dissolution of the council. In Egypt, unlike in Tunisia, the revolution will need a second phase, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "In Tunisia the revolution was carried through in a Marxist manner. The poor rose up across the country. ... The middle classes took sides with them. The class struggle was overcome and this paved the way for a transition for democracy. In Egypt the whole spectacle took place on Tahrir Square. ... It was a spectacular revolt that convinced both the military and the US to topple Mubarak, without however giving the young activists the chance to reap in the dividends of their success. The second phase of the revolution is beginning with the desire to return to the roots of the protest and take better control of the developments this time round."

In view of the bloody protests on Cairo's Tahrir Square, the left-liberal daily Libération calls for a democratically elected government for Egypt: » more

In view of the bloody protests on Cairo's Tahrir Square, the left-liberal daily Libération calls for a democratically elected government for Egypt: "History has still not chosen whom it will side with: On the one hand those who with their shamefully backward ideas want to delay the beginning of democracy in Egypt. Or on the other those who insist tenaciously that the army should relinquish power to civil society, share its economic might and head back to the barracks. One can only hope that a democratic mechanism, even if not perfect, will be set up as soon as possible. Only democracy, with its pluralism and display of contradicting positions, can defuse the situation. Only democracy can create new forces and thereby counter the extreme threats to the destiny of the most populous Arab country."

The Egyptian protests that have gone on for three days now highlight the strong influence of the radical Islamic Muslim Brotherhood, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: » more

The Egyptian protests that have gone on for three days now highlight the strong influence of the radical Islamic Muslim Brotherhood, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: "That hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Cairo on the weekend may also be a sign of the growing unpopularity of the army, but it also testifies to the ability of the Muslim Brothers and the parties that have emerged from this movement to mobilise the people. In all probability the Islamists who have been watched over by the state will win the upcoming elections. Whether their unusual alliance with the Left and the secular parties will be sustained after an election victory remains to be seen. The only certainty is that Egypt's revolution will only deserve the name if Mubarak's fall ushers in a political system legitimated at the ballots."

The basis of trust between the different elements of Egyptian society is a thing of the past, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more

The basis of trust between the different elements of Egyptian society is a thing of the past, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "It is a tragedy that the first free elections will begin under the shadow of a bloodbath on Tahrir Square. On the face of it, 'the military' is on one side and the rest of the country on the other. In reality, however, not even those who want a new Egypt can reach a basic agreement on what it should look like. The trust between the different elements of Egyptian society is a thing of the past. Once more the horror and anger at the brutality that 'those in power' - first Mubarak, now the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces - use against the demonstrators has welded the country. This is a rude awakening for those wanted to go on dreaming the dream of the patriotic Egyptian army that brought the revolution of the young and dissatisfied to a close on 11 February. The signs had long been pointing in a very different direction."

Bloody clashes broke out in Egypt on the weekend between the police and demonstrators in country-wide protests against the country's military council. Several people died and over 1,700 were left wounded. The people won't make do with semi-democracy, the liberal tabloid Aftonbladet writes: » more

Bloody clashes broke out in Egypt on the weekend between the police and demonstrators in country-wide protests against the country's military council. Several people died and over 1,700 were left wounded. The people won't make do with semi-democracy, the liberal tabloid Aftonbladet writes: "The Arab Spring was never about changing old self-appointed leaders for new ones. The goal was to achieve a transfer of power from authoritarian regimes to the people. Egypt's path to democracy and the rule of law will be long. The military has become an obstacle on this journey, something demonstrated not least by yesterday's brutality on Tahrir Square. It must be made clear to Egypt's generals that any form of semi-democracy in which they pull the strings from the wings will not be tolerated. Violence and repression against demonstrators, democracy activists and bloggers must stop."

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of long-time Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, was arrested in southern Libya on Saturday. The Transitional Council wants to try him in Libya although an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity has also been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Saif al-Islam Gaddafi should be tried in The Hague, writes the left-liberal daily The Guardian: » more

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of long-time Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, was arrested in southern Libya on Saturday. The Transitional Council wants to try him in Libya although an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity has also been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Saif al-Islam Gaddafi should be tried in The Hague, writes the left-liberal daily The Guardian: "The ICC prosecutor is in Libya this week to discuss the way forward. He will face a government that is still in flux, and under considerable local pressure to see justice is done in Libya. The bloody killing of Muammar Gaddafi, however, raises serious questions about whether that is possible. ... The ICC intervention helped transform the outcome in Libya by contributing to the delegitimisation of the Gaddafi regime. Military action followed and was decisive. But the ICC's role made the crimes an international matter, and in staying the hand of vengeance the Hague judges will have to be involved."

At the end of October the new Libyan government discovered an arsenal of chemical weapons of mass destruction which Muammar al-Gaddafi had secretly hoarded. This underlines once more the differences in the way the West treated the dictators in Libya and Iraq, Lluís Bassets comments in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante: » more

At the end of October the new Libyan government discovered an arsenal of chemical weapons of mass destruction which Muammar al-Gaddafi had secretly hoarded. This underlines once more the differences in the way the West treated the dictators in Libya and Iraq, Lluís Bassets comments in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante: "It was the detail that was missing to round off the comparison between the nonsense in Iraq and the success in Libya. It was nonsense from the start: demonising Saddam Hussein without any proof of the existence of a weapons stockpile, while conversely allowing Gaddafi to join the club of the honourable without adequate guarantees or inspections. ... The former had international inspectors in every nook and cranny without satisfactory results while the latter was allowed to do business with the most important representatives of Western capitalism without being subjected to any controls whatsoever. ... Everything that was done wrong in Iraq was done right in Libya: the UN resolution, the coalition with the participation of the Arab world, aerial support from Nato, the toppling of the dictator by the Libyans themselves. And what went wrong in Libya, for instance that Gaddafi was lynched, didn't exactly go right in Iraq."

According to their own accounts, deserters of the Syrian army attacked a secret service base north of Damascus on Wednesday. The West should supply them with weapons, writes the former diplomat Ignace Leverrier in his blog Un oeil sur la Syrie in the daily Le Monde: » more

According to their own accounts, deserters of the Syrian army attacked a secret service base north of Damascus on Wednesday. The West should supply them with weapons, writes the former diplomat Ignace Leverrier in his blog Un oeil sur la Syrie in the daily Le Monde: "The demonstrators are begging the international community - or at least those countries that have declared their solidarity - to give the Free Syrian Army what it needs to continue its mission. There is no one else who can defend the demonstrators. It's not a question of creating a new balance of power with these weapons. ... They simply want to be able to keep demonstrating peacefully without immediately being subjected to the brutality of troops loyal to the regime. And they have every right to do so. ... The rebels that want to make use of these arms now expect those who support their justified demands to supply 'their' army with the necessary ammunition and anti-tank weapons."

The Arab League resolved on Saturday to suspend Syria's membership. Even if this doesn't pave the way for a Libyan-style military intervention the international community must not remain passive, the liberal daily Aamulehti contends: » more

The Arab League resolved on Saturday to suspend Syria's membership. Even if this doesn't pave the way for a Libyan-style military intervention the international community must not remain passive, the liberal daily Aamulehti contends: "In the case of Syria foreign intervention is not foreseen. Nobody really wants it and there is not enough support for it on the UN Security Council. ... But somehow the Syrian leadership must be compelled to end its policy of oppression. Those countries that want to go beyond advocating moral and ethical values in ceremonial addresses can't simply sit back and watch while a popular movement demanding freedom and democracy is brutally quashed."

The Arab League on Saturday announced the suspension of Syria's membership and sanctions against Bashar al-Assad's regime. This ups the pressure on the United Nations but the problem remains an Arab one, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: » more

The Arab League on Saturday announced the suspension of Syria's membership and sanctions against Bashar al-Assad's regime. This ups the pressure on the United Nations but the problem remains an Arab one, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: "The US President Barack Obama was pleased by the decision and announced that the United States would not continue to exert pressure on Assad's murderous regime together with its 'friends and allies'. But there will be no military intervention like in Libya. It would already be a major step if the Security Council were to simply pass a condemnatory resolution. But Russia and China mustn't veto this again. For now these two permanent members of the Security Council are shrouding themselves in silence. The opposition in Syria sees the Arab League's decision to suspend Syria as strengthening its cause. But this is likely to remain the only help on which it can count from abroad. Syria is an Arab problem that requires an Arab solution."

The quashing of the protests against the Syrian regime has claimed more than 3,500 victims according to the UN. And this despite the fact that the Arab League has negotiated a deal with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad under which the government soldiers were to withdraw. The chances of peace are not good, writes news portal Wprost Online: » more

The quashing of the protests against the Syrian regime has claimed more than 3,500 victims according to the UN. And this despite the fact that the Arab League has negotiated a deal with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad under which the government soldiers were to withdraw. The chances of peace are not good, writes news portal Wprost Online: "A rapid stabilisation of the situation in Syria and an end to the crisis are not in sight. The recent Nato intervention in Libya pretty much rules out a similar operation in Syria because the alliance no longer has the will nor the money to bombard another country. Additional economic sanctions would be a bad solution. That leaves just the international community and above all the Arab League. Perhaps Assad will accept another agreement negotiated by this organisation after all."

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday declared the end of Nato military operations in Tripoli and stressed that there should not be a similar intervention in Syria. But Nato is actually leaving Libya at the behest of the US, which wants to concentrate on Syria and Iran, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore suspects: » more

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday declared the end of Nato military operations in Tripoli and stressed that there should not be a similar intervention in Syria. But Nato is actually leaving Libya at the behest of the US, which wants to concentrate on Syria and Iran, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore suspects: "Libya has long since become just a minor intervention in a far bigger exchange deal. The big game is no longer in Tripoli but on the Gulf. The goal is to manoeuvre the Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad into a corner and isolate Syria's strongest ally, Iran. ... The US is leaving the fate of Libya in the hands of the Europeans and the Arabs. It has other interests to defend. It wants to install a new 'security architecture' in a region that forms the front line with Iran and contains 60 percent of the world's oil reserves. This is why it is boosting its presence in Kuwait and intensifying its military relations with the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council."

Nato plans to officially end its operations in Libya today, Friday. Estimates put the number of victims at up to 50,000. But the ethical and legal aspects of the operation are being ignored, columnist Rob de Wijk complains in the Christian-socialist daily Trouw: » more

Nato plans to officially end its operations in Libya today, Friday. Estimates put the number of victims at up to 50,000. But the ethical and legal aspects of the operation are being ignored, columnist Rob de Wijk complains in the Christian-socialist daily Trouw: "Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron wrote that tens of thousands of Libyans needed Nato protection against the atrocities of Gaddafi. This is no doubt true, but at the same time tens of thousands of Libyans lost their lives as a result of the involvement of the international community that wanted to protect them. How many more victims there will be will depend on the ability of the Transitional Council to control the chaos. The question running through my mind now is how many lives may be lost in the name of protecting the population. This is a vital question because Nato took sides in a civil war and considerably expanded the original UN mandate. Or was the humanitarian argument only a cover for political motives?"

The human rights organisation Amnesty International last week accused 17 European states, including Germany, of playing a role in the oppression of protest movements in various Arab countries by exporting weapons and wiretapping technology. The former head of the foreign desk at Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper, Clemens M. Hutter, accuses exporting nations of double standards in the daily Wiener Zeitung: » more

The human rights organisation Amnesty International last week accused 17 European states, including Germany, of playing a role in the oppression of protest movements in various Arab countries by exporting weapons and wiretapping technology. The former head of the foreign desk at Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper, Clemens M. Hutter, accuses exporting nations of double standards in the daily Wiener Zeitung: "Weapons for Libya, Syria and Saudi Arabia have clearly been put to use against these countries' own populations. Of the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who untiringly demonstrate against the tyranny of the Assad clan, 3,000 have paid with their lives. Yet Syria is still being supplied with the best bugging technology on the market - made in Germany. Consequently, unlike in Tunisia or Egypt the Syrian resistance can't organise itself electronically. Officially Germany proclaims its sympathy with the Syrian struggle for freedom. It just happens to be the case that technology sales also secure jobs at home."

The Libyan Transitional Council has asked Nato to continue its activities in the country until the end of the year or at least extend them by a month. The conservative Frankfurter daily Allgemeine Zeitung staunchly opposes a continuation of Nato operations: » more

The Libyan Transitional Council has asked Nato to continue its activities in the country until the end of the year or at least extend them by a month. The conservative Frankfurter daily Allgemeine Zeitung staunchly opposes a continuation of Nato operations: "The struggle for Tripoli has been settled, the old regime has been deposed and the dictator Gaddafi is dead. A continuation of the military operations is no longer covered by the United Nations. It's true that there is apprehension in Libya that the disarming and appeasing of the various rebel groups and tribes will turn out to be more difficult than hoped. There is even talk of a civil war. But it is not the task of Nato to establish the former or prevent the latter. It is now up to the new regime in Tripoli to guarantee internal stability."

Even before the announcement of Tunisia's election results the moderate Islamist Ennahda party initiated coalition talks on Tuesday. Despite the West's concerns about the likely victor there is no reason to assume Ennahda is any more undemocratic than its adversaries, the daily Kurier writes: » more

Even before the announcement of Tunisia's election results the moderate Islamist Ennahda party initiated coalition talks on Tuesday. Despite the West's concerns about the likely victor there is no reason to assume Ennahda is any more undemocratic than its adversaries, the daily Kurier writes: "There is no reason to believe that highly secularised Tunisia, where women have a firm place in public life, will now be transformed into a morose theocracy. In any event, Ennahda's leader Ghannouchi adopted a moderate tone on the weekend and acknowledged the basic democratic values. As a democrat there is nothing left to do but respect the Tunisians' decision in their country's first free elections. ... Rotten, short-sighted compromises of the kind entered into with North Africa's autocrats for the sake of convenience must not be repeated."

After the burial of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Tuesday international criticism was voiced of the fact that the Libyan dictator was mistreated after his arrest and his corpse put on show. The way Gaddafi was treated must not become the basis for the new Libya, the conservative daily The Times warns: » more

After the burial of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Tuesday international criticism was voiced of the fact that the Libyan dictator was mistreated after his arrest and his corpse put on show. The way Gaddafi was treated must not become the basis for the new Libya, the conservative daily The Times warns: "Ordinary Libyans need to understand, from the outset, that there will be new standards and that they are all responsible for upholding them. ... It is in the next few weeks that the pattern of politics will be laid down for years to come. If reconciliation, reconstruction and the good intentions outlined some months ago in the NTC's proposals for government are implemented, Libya could become a beacon for others fighting repression. If corruption, revenge, disorder and profiteering win the upper hand, Libya will tire of 'democracy', long for the old stability and open the way for a new strongman and probably a new era of repression."

In the election for a Constituent Assembly in Tunisia preliminary results indicate a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. According to commentators the ... » more

In the election for a Constituent Assembly in Tunisia preliminary results indicate a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. According to commentators the West need not fear political Islam because it is first and foremost a sign of the democratisation of North Africa.

The West must accept the possible election victory of Islamic parties in the Arab reform states of Tunisia and Egypt, but it also bears a large responsibility for the people in the region, writes the left-liberal daily El País: » more

The West must accept the possible election victory of Islamic parties in the Arab reform states of Tunisia and Egypt, but it also bears a large responsibility for the people in the region, writes the left-liberal daily El País: "Everything points to a victory for political Islam in the elections in Tunisia and Egypt. This time the Western powers are ready to accept this as an expression of the popular will. And so they should. Nevertheless the West bears a major responsibility: It must insist that the electoral victory does not mean that society will relapse into the Middle Ages. Political Islam must finally understand that in the age of globalisation you can't just seal yourself off from reality."

The preliminary election results for Tunisia's new Constituent Assembly show a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. The major bone of contention will no doubt be the state model, writes the left-leaning daily Die Tageszeitung, fearing an Islamist president: » more

The preliminary election results for Tunisia's new Constituent Assembly show a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. The major bone of contention will no doubt be the state model, writes the left-leaning daily Die Tageszeitung, fearing an Islamist president: "The Islamists and a small, radical-left group are for a purely parliamentary system. That is the lesson they draw from the presidential system that has imprisoned Tunisia since its independence. The rest of the parties want a head of state who acts under the eyes of parliament. But these parties don't seem to have considered what could happen if Ennahda gets its hands on the presidency."

The increasingly likely victory of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party in Tunisia may inspire fear in the West, but that should not detract from the triumph of democracy, writes the daily Le Soir: » more

The increasingly likely victory of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party in Tunisia may inspire fear in the West, but that should not detract from the triumph of democracy, writes the daily Le Soir: "This election of the Constituent Assembly is the first step toward the establishment of democracy, the first in a world hitherto comprised only of dictatorships. ... Of course there will be dangers. The spectre of Islamism is often raised by the West, as observers say Ennahda is expected to finish first. But for their part the Islamists know that the major difficulty will be the ability of the new leaders - and they hope to be among them - to find a response to the misery suffered by large parts of the population. ... The revolt against tyranny and for dignity, justice and the right to work should be heard by the new Tunisian parliament, whatever party leads it."

The victory of the conservative Islamist Ennahda Party in Tunisia and the planned introduction of Sharia law in Libya do not pose a threat to the West, writes the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita: » more

The victory of the conservative Islamist Ennahda Party in Tunisia and the planned introduction of Sharia law in Libya do not pose a threat to the West, writes the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita: "Tunisia and Libya will certainly be different than they were under dictatorship. But that doesn't mean they're a threat to the West. It should come as no surprise for the Sharia to be anchored in the constitution of a Muslim country. Incidentally, that was also the case under Mubarak - an ally of the US. These democratic elections have given expression to the true popular will, not just some ideology imposed by dictators who want nothing better than to rule forever. Outside the big cities the states of North Africa happen to be conservative. And there conservatism is Islamic. We would do better to rejoice that so many people went out to vote in Tunisia.

Libya officially celebrated its liberation from the rule of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Sunday, three days after the dictator's violent death. But celebrating the end of tyranny is easier than the job that lies ahead, namely the construction of a free society, the liberal daily Sme contends: » more

Libya officially celebrated its liberation from the rule of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Sunday, three days after the dictator's violent death. But celebrating the end of tyranny is easier than the job that lies ahead, namely the construction of a free society, the liberal daily Sme contends: "Optimists say Libya has good prospects thanks to its oil exports. In addition the society is sufficiently homogeneous and the Libyans were quick to create state organs at the very beginning of the revolution and for that reason also received foreign support. ... Pessimists however fear that where there is money there are also patrons. Moreover although Libya is united religiously it is divided ethnically between Arabs and Berbers and geographically between Bengasi and Tripoli. Sceptics see the unwillingness of some groups to lay down the arms they fought with against Gaddafi as a fertile breeding ground for future conflicts. ... And the demise of the dictator is also casting a shadow over the country's new beginning."

Tunisians voted in the country's first-ever free elections on Sunday. The turnout for the vote to appoint the 217-seat assembly tasked with rewriting the constitution was enormous. But in the West all the euphoria about the popular revolutions in the Arab region has evaporated amidst fears that Islamists could gain control, the left-liberal tabloid Aftonbladet laments: » more

Tunisians voted in the country's first-ever free elections on Sunday. The turnout for the vote to appoint the 217-seat assembly tasked with rewriting the constitution was enormous. But in the West all the euphoria about the popular revolutions in the Arab region has evaporated amidst fears that Islamists could gain control, the left-liberal tabloid Aftonbladet laments: "Essentially we're dealing here with the same fear of democracy that the powers that be always felt. The fear about what the masses could come up with if they came to power. The same argument weaves its way through history from Plato to today's leading article like a red thread. But the spread of democracy across the globe shows that the masses in general are pretty clever. Of course democracy and Islam are compatible, just as Christianity or any other world religion is compatible with democracy. Anyone who claims the contrary should prove it. Meanwhile the killing of Gaddafi, on the other hand, is proof of what challenges still lie ahead. Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are all interconnected. ... The Western world must support the elections and respect the decisions of the people. We must simply have the courage to trust our own ideals."

The death of the ousted Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi shows that dictators will always fail in the end, writes the editor in chief of the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza, Adam Michnik: » more

The death of the ousted Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi shows that dictators will always fail in the end, writes the editor in chief of the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza, Adam Michnik: "One should never be happy about someone's death, even if he was a tyrant guilty of inflicting suffering on thousands of others. For that reason I feel no joy at the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi. But it does prompt me to reflect on the world we share with dictators. Gaddafi seemed unassailable. He deceived and humiliated the whole world. He terrorised the Libyans with an iron fist and at the same time reached an understanding with the West after years of conflict. ... But he miscalculated. Those under him finally recognised that it was time to say: enough! ... That was a signal to other people living under tyranny: dictators never go unpunished, dictators are not immortal."

The circumstances of the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi are still unclear but it seems he probably wasn't killed in battle. Lynch justice is the wrong basis for a young state, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

The circumstances of the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi are still unclear but it seems he probably wasn't killed in battle. Lynch justice is the wrong basis for a young state, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "Gaddafi's mangled corpse is the worst start to a new liberated Libya. Not an act of war, not a commando operation like the one that killed Osama bin Laden, but a debased act marks this new beginning. An act of revenge that is accompanied by the angry cries of the enraged mob. However it wasn't the tragic execution of a tyrant that the mob witnessed but the defiling of a symbol that should be scorned and destroyed. ... Yet all the torment Gaddafi's torturers inflicted on the Libyan people still cannot justify the brutality with which a cruel and inhuman tyranny ended yesterday."

The death of Muammar al-Gaddafi during his capture means that the new Libya can no longer put him on trial, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad laments: » more

The death of Muammar al-Gaddafi during his capture means that the new Libya can no longer put him on trial, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad laments: "A tribunal is not only a warning to fellow dictators and a signal from the new leaders that they want to take the path of constitutional law. A trial can also help uncover the truth, and, even if indirectly, lead to reconciliation. That Gaddafi was a despot is well known. But how he could hold onto power for four decades and who helped him do it must still be answered. Gaddafi himself can no longer do this, meaning it is no longer possible to settle accounts on a political level. That can lead to new myths and acts of revenge. After the rejoicing hard times lie ahead."

After the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi the Libyan transitional government must above all avoid internal power struggles, the liberal-conservative business paper Financial Times writes: » more

After the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi the Libyan transitional government must above all avoid internal power struggles, the liberal-conservative business paper Financial Times writes: "The NTC's first task is to ensure that the unity marshalled against Gaddafi does not splinter now he is gone. A descent into infighting would imperil the fragile achievements of the past six months. As soon as is practical, the victorious factions must agree on a path towards the creation of the institutions that will enshrine the freedoms for which so many Libyans have laid down their lives. If Libya requests it, the west should be ready to provide technical assistance in this process. On the military front, however, now that Gaddafi no longer threatens his own people, the west should avoid outstaying its welcome."

China and Russia used their veto in the UN Security Council on Tuesday night to block a resolution against the Syrian regime tabled by European members of the Security Council. Global power relations have shifted, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: » more

China and Russia used their veto in the UN Security Council on Tuesday night to block a resolution against the Syrian regime tabled by European members of the Security Council. Global power relations have shifted, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: "The European measures against the regime clarify where the West stands and who it supports, namely not the regime that has had around 2,700 people killed already this year. The measures are meaningful and aid civilian resistance in Syria. But they will probably not prove decisive. Ultimately the international balance of power is not disfavourable for Assad. The voting split in the Security Council illustrates the new global balance. Despite the fact that the US and Europe back the civilian protest, the balance is shifting to the east and south. Moral outrage in the West can do nothing to alter this. Political cooperation is called for. Unfortunately no one in the West is taking the initiative."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Libya on Thursday for the first time since Gaddafi's fall. The goal is to assert their influence in the country but the conservative daily Lidové noviny sees someone else, who is visiting the country today, Friday, as the big winner of the conflicts in Libya: » more

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Libya on Thursday for the first time since Gaddafi's fall. The goal is to assert their influence in the country but the conservative daily Lidové noviny sees someone else, who is visiting the country today, Friday, as the big winner of the conflicts in Libya: "For the Arabs the true victor is Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. How can this be possible given that Turkey got upset about the attack on Gaddafi and long remained silent on Syria? Well, among other things because Ankara supports Hamas and is taking a hard line against Israel. Those who believed that Europe's backing for the Arab Spring would earn it political rewards were wrong. If Europe wants to boost pro-European sentiment it must first cross Hamas off its list of terrorists and then criticise Israel. Is this what we want to do?"

British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy met up with the Libyan National Transition Council in Tripoli on Thursday. One of the main reasons for their trip was energy policy, writes the Christian-conservative daily Salzburger Nachrichten, and warns of the threat natural resources pose to the future stability of the country: » more

British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy met up with the Libyan National Transition Council in Tripoli on Thursday. One of the main reasons for their trip was energy policy, writes the Christian-conservative daily Salzburger Nachrichten, and warns of the threat natural resources pose to the future stability of the country: "Because in Libya it's not just about democracy, peace and freedom. The role of the vast oil and gas reserves, the extraction of which came to a halt during the war against Gaddafi, is at least just as crucial. Solar energy too, will play a key role in the Sahara. This affects Europe in particular, which is dependent on the supply of raw materials from the desert. The EU was the main buyer of Libyan crude oil up to now and it wants to regain that status as quickly as possible. But the vying for the oil in Libya also entails new risks. It is becoming increasingly clear that in the battle for power and a lot of money, the opposition is divided."

The European Union took the decision to boycott oil exports from Syria on Friday. A justified step, comments the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: » more

The European Union took the decision to boycott oil exports from Syria on Friday. A justified step, comments the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: "Europe doesn't have many alternative means of putting Syria under pressure. The French government may be making contact with the Syrian opposition, but this remains a mainly symbolical gesture. And a Libya-style intervention is out of the question. There can be no talk of a broad-based rebel movement in Syria. ... An embargo can be very effective even though Syria isn't a major energy producer - petrol makes up only a quarter of its exports. But about 90 percent of it goes to the EU. ... Precisely because Syria is largely dependent on the EU regarding its oil exports and European companies play a key role in this area there is a logical basis for a common embargo policy. It's a start. But it probably won't be the end of Assad."

The international community has a moral responsibility for the Libyan Transitional Council which includes not just trusting it blindly, the left-liberal daily Der Standard warns: » more

The international community has a moral responsibility for the Libyan Transitional Council which includes not just trusting it blindly, the left-liberal daily Der Standard warns: "Humanitarian preoccupations must be given top priority. But that doesn't mean the Libyan cash that was frozen and has now been unfrozen should be dumped back into the country without any controls whatsoever. Yes, it belongs to the Libyans. And yes, most states have recognised the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the people. But precisely because this legitimation came from abroad and not from inside the country, the international community cannot just leave it to its own devices. With all due respect for Libyan sovereignty: To a certain extent the international community bears a moral responsibility for this Council. Everything the Council does will reflect back on it."

The victory over the Gaddafi regime was anything but a European success story, the left-liberal daily Le Monde writes: » more

The victory over the Gaddafi regime was anything but a European success story, the left-liberal daily Le Monde writes: "A twofold lesson can be learned from the Libya conflict: First, the operation carried out in Libya cannot be transposed. It was the product of a set of very specific circumstances. ... Secondly, the intervention was not a pan-European success. The political initiative was taken by the Elysée Palace and Downing Street, not the European Union. ... History will retain that Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime fell under the blows of the Libyan rebels in a victory they no doubt would not have achieved without the support of a heterogeneous coalition with four pillars: the US, France, the UK and Qatar, which supplied financial, political and military support. The last thing that looks like is a success for Europe."

The international community managed to avoid calling the military operations a success at the Libya conference, writes the left-liberal daily El País approvingly: » more

The international community managed to avoid calling the military operations a success at the Libya conference, writes the left-liberal daily El País approvingly: "No premature declarations about the victory of the rebels and allies - the EU, US and Nato. The international community is thus distancing itself from the bad example set by George W. Bush when he prematurely announced the mission in Iraq as completed. The dictator Gaddafi is still fighting from an as yet unknown hideout and it can't be ruled out that he'll continue causing problems."

Two factors in particular pose a risk to the reconstruction of Libya, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: » more

Two factors in particular pose a risk to the reconstruction of Libya, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: "The first is the political weakness of the divided National Transitional Council. The conditions that set the stage for the scenario in Iraq after Saddam's fall are not present but instead of the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites a bitter battle between the different factions could break out over Gaddafi's legacy, pitching the East of the country against Tripoli, the military against the civilian population and secular forces against Islamist fundamentalists. And this is where the second danger lies. Islamist fundamentalism has turned out to be the inferior force in the Arab revolts in Tunisia and Egypt. But in Libya it could gain the upper hand owing to the existence of the different camps that could take advantage of the chaos to start proselytising."

The leftist opposition in the Netherlands is attacking oil multinational Shell for continuing to extract oil in Syria. A hypocritical stance, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: » more

The leftist opposition in the Netherlands is attacking oil multinational Shell for continuing to extract oil in Syria. A hypocritical stance, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "In the eyes of the Socialist party Assad's tanks are fuelled by diesel from Shell. That makes for good rhetoric and it may even be true. But it may also be that the Molotov cocktails being hurled by the rebels are also made with Shell Super. The attack against Shell only conceals the failure of the policy makers. Of all the oil that Syria exports 95 percent goes to the European Union. If Germany, Italy and France decided tomorrow to stop imports from this country Assad would be finished. So far more cynical than Shell are the European capitals where the politicians have refused to turn off the tap on Syrian oil for months. It's a far easier decision than declaring war on Libya."

The Libyan rebels have Tripoli entirely under their control and are now searching for the fallen ruler Gaddafi. The daily Adevărul warns of the dangers of the post-revolution period in a bid to prevent a recurrence of what happened after Nicolae Ceauşescu's fall in Romania: » more

The Libyan rebels have Tripoli entirely under their control and are now searching for the fallen ruler Gaddafi. The daily Adevărul warns of the dangers of the post-revolution period in a bid to prevent a recurrence of what happened after Nicolae Ceauşescu's fall in Romania: "From the ashes of a brutal dictator will rise not the apostles of justice but all kinds of opportunists and profiteers who covet both political leadership and the riches of the state. ... Many of today's rebels will use the images of the anti-Gaddafi revolution to obtain outrageous privileges. Proof of being a rebel will be in high demand because it will bring land, commercial spaces, a lifelong pension, respect, tax relief and all kinds of preferential treatment. ... We have been through all this and know the scenario. But the Romanian model appears to be universal: happy to have escaped the monster, we are too blind to recognise the wolf in sheep's clothing."

The German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is under attack for attributing the victory of the Libyan rebels to the sanctions imposed by Germany and other nations, instead of the no-fly zone imposed by Nato without German participation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung asks sarcastically which sanctions Westerwelle had in mind: » more

The German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is under attack for attributing the victory of the Libyan rebels to the sanctions imposed by Germany and other nations, instead of the no-fly zone imposed by Nato without German participation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung asks sarcastically which sanctions Westerwelle had in mind: "Representatives of the regime weren't banned from travelling, and neither bank accounts nor payments for energy deliveries were frozen. In fact the only sanction was the UN weapons embargo. Like Paris, Rome and London, Berlin had been arming Gaddafi for years. That was now out of the question. Losing out on these profits may seem like a heroic gesture to Westerwelle. However even the weapons embargo could only be implemented because Nato warships were patrolling the Mediterranean. And Germany had removed its ships from this flotilla. ... Westerwelle is proposing that Germany could help with the country's economic recovery. 'That's something we know a lot about.' True: German oil companies were already turning a good profit under Gaddafi. ... It always makes a good impression when a member refuses to share the costs of a military mission but isn't above pocketing profits from the peace."

While the dictatorship in Libya is on the verge of collapse, Bashar al-Assad is still taking brutal action against demonstrators in Syria. The left-liberal daily Népszabadság explains why the West can't intervene in Syria: » more

While the dictatorship in Libya is on the verge of collapse, Bashar al-Assad is still taking brutal action against demonstrators in Syria. The left-liberal daily Népszabadság explains why the West can't intervene in Syria: "Syria lies at the heart of the Arab world. ... It plays a key role in the Middle East conflict. ... The country's stability is therefore also in the interest of its neighbours. ... The military forces in Syria act differently to the armies in Tunisia, Egypt or Libya. There is no sign of them turning their backs on Assad or identifying with the regime's opposition. If the reports can be believed, Syrian society still supports Assad. ... So the West can't do anything for now but discuss whether to impose sanctions and if so which. Should it back the opposition in some symbolic way? There's one thing the West doesn't want for sure: more bloodshed and a regional war with unforeseeable consequences."

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday promised the leader of Libya's Transition Council Mahmud Jibril 350 million euros. The resumption of oil and gas exploitation by an Italian firm was also discussed at the meeting. This highlights the hypocrisy of the West, notes the liberal Tages-Anzeiger, but at least it is also good news for Libya: » more

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday promised the leader of Libya's Transition Council Mahmud Jibril 350 million euros. The resumption of oil and gas exploitation by an Italian firm was also discussed at the meeting. This highlights the hypocrisy of the West, notes the liberal Tages-Anzeiger, but at least it is also good news for Libya: "So is Berlusconi a big hypocrite? Without doubt - but he's not the only one. ... 'If Libya is free today it is not just because the West loves Libya so dearly but because the country has oil,' wrote the think-tank European Council on Foreign Relations. This may be true but the war wasn't waged because of the oil. The Nato operation came about because the West had gone too far with its hypocrisy regarding Gaddafi. Now it has successfully changed sides it can get back to business. The positive aspect is that the oil billions will help the future Libyan government rebuild the country. And the oil companies have an interest in the establishment of legal security for their business and a secure environment for their employees. From both these things the people of Libya will also benefit."

After the takeover of Tripoli by the Libyan rebels, French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday announced a conference on the country's reconstruction. Sarkozy is clearly proud of having backed the right horse in the Libyan conflict, writes the satirical weekly Le Canard enchaîné, even if he missed out on the rest of the Arab Spring: » more

After the takeover of Tripoli by the Libyan rebels, French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday announced a conference on the country's reconstruction. Sarkozy is clearly proud of having backed the right horse in the Libyan conflict, writes the satirical weekly Le Canard enchaîné, even if he missed out on the rest of the Arab Spring: "Hopefully the grand warlord will have enough feathers for his cap! Let it be said, there is a single victor of the war in Libya, and he's camped out at Elysée Palace. ... In fact Sarko has been on the vanguard since 2007, during the Libyan leader's visit to Paris. Five surrealist days, with a huge tent in the gardens of the Hotel de Marigny and the promise of fabulous contracts for fighter jets, helicopters, tanks and nuclear reactors amounting to 10 billion euros. ... What followed when the Arab Spring broke out was hardly any more illustrious. Sarko missed out on events in Tunisia and Egypt. Luckily not so with Libya. And he's going to make sure the world knows it!"

Germany's abstention in the decisive UN Security Council vote on a no-fly zone over Libya will damage the country politically, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more

Germany's abstention in the decisive UN Security Council vote on a no-fly zone over Libya will damage the country politically, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "Germany of all countries, which has never stopped casting itself as an advocate of European defence, denied its solidarity to the countries that are indispensable for this goal. It did so with sham arguments, motivated principally by domestic politics. That will do lasting harm to Berlin's credibility on matters of security policy. The foreign minister's explanation that Germany didn't want to send ground troops was no more than a lame excuse from the start. Neither did the British or the French, to say nothing of the Americans. The ostentatious rejoicing over the rebels' victory is therefore all the more embarrassing."

A speedy victory over the Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will give the freedom movements in other countries of the region new strength, the left-liberal daily El País concludes: » more

A speedy victory over the Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will give the freedom movements in other countries of the region new strength, the left-liberal daily El País concludes: "It is to be expected that, despite the fact that Gaddafi's whereabouts remain unknown and his loyal forces are still defending the last bastions in Tripoli, with the anticipated fall of the Libyan dictatorship a similar fate will await Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. And that the revolutionary wave that is sweeping through the region will gain fresh impetus. From the point of view of Arab citizens, the outcome of the Libyan conflict would demonstrate that the rebels are capable of winning no matter how fiercely the tyrants resist."

The approaching fall of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will give the Arab Spring a fresh boost, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera comments: "Despite the present uncertainty one must admit that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's intuition (or wager) is finally paying off. ... The fall of the Tripoli regime is a message to the entire Arab and Muslim world, and above all the young generation, which is better informed and more secular than we think: There is no going back now. This message should be robbing Bashar al-Assad in Syria of his already troubled sleep. A message that despite the differences in historical context brings to mind the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the communist world. Back then there was no going back either, even though the long and difficult transition to democracy still hasn't been fully completed in some of these countries."

In their final phases the Arab revolutions face the same questions that were seminal for the development of democracy in Eastern Europe, writes Tatjana Vaxberg in the online newspaper Glasove: » more

In their final phases the Arab revolutions face the same questions that were seminal for the development of democracy in Eastern Europe, writes Tatjana Vaxberg in the online newspaper Glasove: "What to do with guilty dictators? Try them? Kill them? Place them under house arrest? Eastern Europe has done it all. Now it's the turn of Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Tunisia and Libya. In some of these countries the outcome is clear, others are still in the throes of armed struggle and it's too early to say how things will unfold. But anyone familiar with the [Eastern European] original will already get the impression from the copy that the Arab World is busy making the same mistakes committed by Europe - by flouting or even abusing justice. For the way justice is meted out now in the Arab World will determine these societies' approach to democracy and justice in the future. Events are now unfolding there as they once did on another continent, which didn't know what to do with its Ceaușescus, Zhivkovs, Honeckers and Jaruzelskis, but nevertheless built its idea of law and justice on just that."

Even if Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi falls this is no cause for euphoria, warns the left-liberal daily De Morgen: » more

Even if Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi falls this is no cause for euphoria, warns the left-liberal daily De Morgen: "Above all because the situation in Libya cannot be compared with the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. The groups rebelling against Gaddafi do not consist of young men seeking freedom and democracy but of rival political groups who are often driven more by tribe loyalties than by any great love for democracy and human rights. ... It would be a fatal mistake to believe that democracy will automatically blossom in all its glory in Tripoli once Gaddafi has been bombed away. On the contrary, the country needs to make many more changes to achieve this."

Libya cannot make the transition to democracy on its own, writes the liberal daily Kaleva, calling on Finland to provide help as promised: » more

Libya cannot make the transition to democracy on its own, writes the liberal daily Kaleva, calling on Finland to provide help as promised: "The changeover of power in Libya won't be easy because the country has no democratic traditions whatsoever. Libya was a kingdom based on a tribal system before Gaddafi's putsch in 1969. Even if Gaddafi tried to break up this system his own government was ultimately also dependent on the tribes. ... The council founded by the rebels is made up of different groups and marked by internal tensions and tribal conflicts. ... To prevent further bloodshed support from abroad will be necessary. Libya hardly has the strength to erect a functioning administration on the decayed ruins of the regime of terror. Finland wasn't willing to participate in the military operation but instead declared that it would take active part in a UN-led peace mission and the re-construction. For the sake of its international credibility it must keep its promise."

The West must confine itself to playing the role of observer and supporter during the period of transition in Libya, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more

The West must confine itself to playing the role of observer and supporter during the period of transition in Libya, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "It will be vital for the West to withdraw its military capacities from this conflict as soon as it has been decided politically. The rebels - then ex-rebels - will have to do the tidying up on their own. However this shouldn't be done without monitoring from abroad. The subject of human rights violations will also be on the agenda for the winners. Blind trust is not appropriate here. Now the goal is to begin the post-Gaddafi era with a transition period led by a system that is as democratic as possible. Analysts see Libya as seriously disadvantaged in comparison with the two other revolutionary countries, Egypt and Tunisia: in both these states structures and institutions existed that may have only served as a pretence for political participation but at least were there and can now be filled with life. ... Perhaps beginning from scratch is also an opportunity for Libya."

Little is known about the victors of the Libyan revolution, the conservative daily Lidové noviny writes, fearing that they might hold as many surprises as the revolutionaries in Egypt: » more

Little is known about the victors of the Libyan revolution, the conservative daily Lidové noviny writes, fearing that they might hold as many surprises as the revolutionaries in Egypt: "We still don't know what ideas and values they cherish, or if they can be partners of democrats in the West and the Arab World. ... The Egyptian example is a warning. The revolutionary government there has just confirmed sceptics' doubts: how were terrorists from Gaza able to enter southern Israel via Egypt's Sinai Peninsula? Why were they wearing Egyptian army uniforms? Why did Egypt recall its ambassadors from Tel Aviv after the Israeli response but not protest against the bloody regime in Syria? It seems the Egyptians care more about their own victory than the peace with Israel that has lasted 30 years."

The Gaddafi regime is on the verge of collapse, but Europe's tasks won't end with the cease in hostilities, writes the conservative daily Le Figaro: » more

The Gaddafi regime is on the verge of collapse, but Europe's tasks won't end with the cease in hostilities, writes the conservative daily Le Figaro: "Nato will play an essential role in the areas of coordination, information gathering and military support, so as to minimize the damages caused by the war. The events in Tripoli are of prime importance for Europe. When it is confirmed, Gaddafi's fall can help redefine our relations with the changing Arab World. Then the effort that has already gone into winning over the sceptics and toppling the dictatorship must be prolonged through humanitarian and economic aid, to stabilise the country which is still menaced by civil war and Islamism."

The West has finally condemned the crimes of the Syrian regime, the liberal-conservative daily Le Temps writes, and calls for the matter to be brought before the International Court of Justice: » more

The West has finally condemned the crimes of the Syrian regime, the liberal-conservative daily Le Temps writes, and calls for the matter to be brought before the International Court of Justice: "In the past five months of promises and a bloody campaign against those they call 'terrorists' Bashar al-Assad's henchmen have presumably committed crimes against humanity. The confirmation of this reality after months of hesitation due to short-term geopolitical interests should come as very good news to the courageous opponents of the regime. ... We must now consider bringing charges at the International Court of Justice. The members of the UN Security Council must finally shoulder responsibility. That includes its recalcitrant members - including Russia, which continues to supply Damascus with arms. And the non-permanent members, Brazil, India and South Africa, must overcome their reservations and lend the Syrians a hand."

The brutality of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has only isolated him internationally, the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes: » more

The brutality of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has only isolated him internationally, the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes: "Arab countries are turning their backs on him, above all Saudi Arabia. And Turkey doesn't want to see its own reputation suffer because of this 'partner'. Syria's only remaining ally is Iran, a country whose regime also has much blood on its hands from quashing protests. At last even President Obama has found the right words: Bashar al-Assad's time is up, 'reforms' can no longer save him politically. The protests against the Syrian dictatorship started in March, tanks and torture have proved unable to quell them. The sanctions Obama now talks of are to be unprecedented - or so we hope. The noose around Assad's regime must be pulled tight, and quick."

With its calls for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the West is showing more decisiveness in the region again, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: » more

With its calls for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the West is showing more decisiveness in the region again, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: "For the past few months the political leaders have been almost entirely overpowered by a wave of unpredictable events. ... A West that focuses solely on itself basically means a political vacuum in all those regions of the world where it was previously active, first and foremost the Middle East. ... Thanks to the West's inability to seize the initiative, the Syrian crisis has been able to explode and profit from this lack of resolve. ... Two weeks ago Saudi Arabia broke its diplomatic silence, and Turkey took the same path. With yesterday's declaration the West has now also followed suit. ... But we're still far from a solution to the conflict, because the best ally of terror is a political vacuum."

The Libyan rebels report that they have pushed forward into another strategically important city not far from Tripoli, claiming that dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime is on the brink of collapse. All this optimism reeks of propaganda, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: » more

The Libyan rebels report that they have pushed forward into another strategically important city not far from Tripoli, claiming that dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime is on the brink of collapse. All this optimism reeks of propaganda, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: "But a push into Tripoli is a challenge of an altogether different order. Its narrow streets will be easy to defend, the fight prolonged and bloody, not least because, reports suggest, Gaddafi still has considerable support in the city. The Nato air support which has been so crucial to the rebel gains will be of relatively little use. And so, despite rhetoric about pushing on to the capital, the likelihood is that the rebels will be reluctant to engage in a full onslaught, preferring to encircle and choke the city in the hope the government will collapse or an uprising in the city can be provoked. A prolonged siege will also require an extension of the Nato mandate for air support, due to be renewed in September. It is to be hoped this will be forthcoming."

Despite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's increasing violence against his people there is no chance of the West launching a military intervention against his regime, writes the liberal business paper De Tijd: » more

Despite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's increasing violence against his people there is no chance of the West launching a military intervention against his regime, writes the liberal business paper De Tijd: "Unlike Libya Syria is in the middle of the most explosive region in the world. And while Colonel Gaddafi was pretty isolated even within his own region the Assad clan has been very successful in the past decade in playing off powerful neighbours like Israel, Turkey, Iran and Iraq against each other. In the case of Syria underlining the condemnations with military action like in Libya is not an option. Assad's regime can still count on sufficient support from the regional superpower Iran. An abrupt change of regime would also destroy the fragile balance between the different minority groups. The prospect of a second Iraq is not tempting for anyone."

Turkey's Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds the fate of the Syrian regime in his hands, the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten writes: » more

Turkey's Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds the fate of the Syrian regime in his hands, the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten writes: "There can be no doubt that the days of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad are numbered. The question is if there are people in the existing regime who could conduct a more or less believable dialogue with the opposition as leaders of a transitional government. Or if Assad will cling to power until the last shot has been fired, while the rebels amass more and more arms, the army disintegrates and anarchy spreads. To prevent this horror scenario, Turkey has continued to maintain relations with Assad while at the same time allowing the opposition to hold several meetings in Turkey. But now it would seem Erdoğan's patience with Assad is at an end. The dictator of Damascus has failed to introduce the political reforms that he promised Ankara on numerous occasions."

The Syrian navy's attack on the port city of Latakia exposes the weakness of the country's ruler Bashar al-Assad, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

The Syrian navy's attack on the port city of Latakia exposes the weakness of the country's ruler Bashar al-Assad, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "Bashar al-Assad has gone mad. He no longer knows what he's doing. He's making one tragic mistake after another. The Syrian president has become his own prisoner. Yesterday's events are doubly unsettling. ... The brutal repression is directed against Latakia and Assad knows only too well that the Syrian city has always been considered a stronghold of the Alawites and therefore of the Shiite sect to which the president himself belongs. It seems likely that Assad's opponents have chosen this lovely port with the intention of embarrassing the ruler and in preparation for the decisive strike against the regime."

While the UN Security Council met to discuss tougher measures against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, his regime continued its violent campaign against the opposition. The left-liberal daily Politiken calls for more international pressure to be exerted on Syria's middle class, which remains loyal to the regime: » more

While the UN Security Council met to discuss tougher measures against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, his regime continued its violent campaign against the opposition. The left-liberal daily Politiken calls for more international pressure to be exerted on Syria's middle class, which remains loyal to the regime: "Already existing sanctions should be intensified and modified in order to affect most those who are loyal to the president. The last remaining moderate forces of the middle class and the business world must be encouraged to turn their backs on the regime and join the rebellion. And it must be made clear to the rest that in the end they will be held responsible for the attacks against the civilian population. It is good news that the UN Security Council has finally agreed on the lowest common denominator and condemned the violence. But it also needs to adopt a harsher tone. And in view of Russia's hardening posture it will also become difficult for China to continue blocking a more active UN stance."

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu spent several hours on Tuesday with Syrian government representatives trying to negotiate an end to the violence in Syria - without success. But even now, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad need not fear military intervention, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu spent several hours on Tuesday with Syrian government representatives trying to negotiate an end to the violence in Syria - without success. But even now, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad need not fear military intervention, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "It is in the nature of totalitarian regimes that making even the tiniest concessions regarding their sole claim to power over the state spells the beginning of the end. Assad and his clan are very much aware of this. And most of his regime's opponents would agree. Monday's appointment of a new defence minister is pure cosmetics. The president's brother is the true custodian of power over Syria's far-reaching security apparatus. And he has no reason to start loosening his grip. The regime need not fear a military intervention like that in Libya. Even now there is still no structured opposition ready to take over if the government was toppled."

Saudi-Arabia's King Abdullah has strongly criticised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the harsh treatment of his people. King Abdullah's words are cause for hope however questionable his motives, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: » more

Saudi-Arabia's King Abdullah has strongly criticised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the harsh treatment of his people. King Abdullah's words are cause for hope however questionable his motives, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: "His comments are no doubt more prompted by the need to bring peace to the region than by any desire for democratic reform. Nevertheless his voice hold great weight in the Arab World. Assad now knows he can't continue to count on the solidarity of his autocratic colleagues. ... The blood he has spilled has caused so much disgust that he is now totally isolated. Although he can't be expected to react immediately to the advice of his neighbours, the fact that Arab rulers have stopped automatically covering each others' backs does give ground for hope."

The trial against Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak is a milestone not just for Egypt but for the entire Arab World, according to the left-liberal daily The Guardian: » more

The trial against Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak is a milestone not just for Egypt but for the entire Arab World, according to the left-liberal daily The Guardian: "Mubarak's trial is not just important for Egypt. Yemen's president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, injured in a rebel attack and getting medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, is being offered immunity from prosecution in a deal openly backed by a selective West. Tunisia's deposed president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, was tried and sentenced in absentia. Again justice denied. If a deal were done with Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, it would be at the expense of charges for war crimes. It is no exaggeration to say that, along with elections, the democratic future of the Arab World depends on this trial."

The UN Security Council condemned the violence of the Syrian regime against its rebelling population on Wednesday evening but failed to pass a resolution. It is sparing Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and abandoning the oppressed people to their fate, the left-liberal daily Le Quotidien admonishes: » more

The UN Security Council condemned the violence of the Syrian regime against its rebelling population on Wednesday evening but failed to pass a resolution. It is sparing Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and abandoning the oppressed people to their fate, the left-liberal daily Le Quotidien admonishes: "The Libyan precedent is deterring the members of the UN Security Council and dooming every initiative to failure. Bashar al-Assad is happily watching support for him grow in the Arab world. He is above all the guarantee for an extremely fragile stability in the region and a valuable mediator with hot-tempered Iran. The Syrian president is playing this card to the full by promising that the Middle East will plunge into conflict between Sunnis and Shiites should his regime fall. ... Once again, it is the people who suffer the consequences of these power games. The Syrians can give up hope of help from the international community. They will have to get used to fighting on their own."

The trial against Hosni Mubarak could lay the foundation for democracy in the country provided the Egyptian revolution is not instrumentalised by the wrong forces, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

The trial against Hosni Mubarak could lay the foundation for democracy in the country provided the Egyptian revolution is not instrumentalised by the wrong forces, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "It would be premature to talk of a betrayed revolution at this point. The testimonies of Egyptians delighting in their new freedom to finally express their opinions are too moving for that. The sense of euphoria, however, is wearing off and the political reality is catching up with it. Last Friday Tahrir Square in Cairo provided a picture of the social forces that intend to call the tune in Egypt after Mubarak. In addition to the comparatively small crowd of secular democracy activists there were many Islamists. ... The country still lacks a settlement that stipulates the civic freedoms. It won't be the army that initiates such a process. If Mubarak's fall is to be more than just the sacrifice of a scapegoat, Egypt now needs its revolutionaries more than ever."

The beginning of the trial against Hosni Mubarak and his sons looks more like revenge than justice, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: » more

The beginning of the trial against Hosni Mubarak and his sons looks more like revenge than justice, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: "Mubarak's trial has begun with a sinister bit of theatre aimed at humiliating the accused. As a result justice has paved the way for its opposite: revenge. How else to understand the way Mubarak and his sons have been paraded before court locked behind bars like dogs, very much like in the times of the recent dictatorship? Is now not the time to break with such behaviour and turn a new leaf? ... The trial against Mubarak, which was unimaginable not long ago, is a key event for Egypt and the entire Arab Spring. It must be exemplary if it is to lay the foundation for democracy. Because a regime's true nature is revealed in how it treats its enemies."

The trial against Hosni Mubarak is above all a symbolic settling of accounts with the era of the former president, the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita comments: » more

The trial against Hosni Mubarak is above all a symbolic settling of accounts with the era of the former president, the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita comments: "The trial against Mubarak is unusual in many respects. Dictators seldom end up on trial, and even more seldom does it happen so quickly. Neither the advanced age of the accused nor the real or feigned health problems could prevent this. Nor indeed the fact that his former military colleagues in Egypt now wield all the power. They may fear that something will come out during the trial that compromises them. It is still unclear what the outcome of the trial will be and what sentence awaits Mubarak. For now we are watching a symbolic settling of scores with his era. The Egyptians, too, are watching."

Despite the ongoing reports of ever new brutalities committed by the Syrian regime against demonstrators, the UN Security Council has yet to reach agreement on a joint resolution. The reasons for this include the interests of neighbouring states, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino complains: » more

Despite the ongoing reports of ever new brutalities committed by the Syrian regime against demonstrators, the UN Security Council has yet to reach agreement on a joint resolution. The reasons for this include the interests of neighbouring states, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino complains: "In addition to the indifference of the West there is a further element that determines Syria's almost complete inviolability. ... Even the neighbouring states don't dare attack Assad's regime because the fear of the rebellions spreading holds sway. This is particularly true for Iran, where the Damascus-Tehran axis is protected by the unsheathed sword of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. For the Islamic republic the protests in Syria are a plot by the West and toppling the regime is unthinkable. Nor is Turkey free of the fear of infection. It is undecided. On the one hand the Turkish government wants a stable Syrian neighbour. ... On the other it is battling a serious domestic politics crisis arising from the conflict between [Prime Minister] Erdoğan and his generals."

After the Syrian army's massacre in Hama the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung warns the West not to turn its back on Syria: » more

After the Syrian army's massacre in Hama the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung warns the West not to turn its back on Syria: "America, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn the violence in Hama, but Assad need not fear much worse from the West. The most recent events in Libya are likely to have destroyed any desire the West had for greater involvement. In the rebel stronghold of Bengasi the fighters are once again at each others' throats, which rather reduces the chances of a quick victory over Gaddafi, the brute of Tripoli. We can lament this state of affairs, curse it and weep over it. But there's one thing the West should not do now: turn its back in frustration at the slow-motion explosion of the Arab summer."

Islamists belonging to the rebel forces are presumably responsible for the death of the Libyan opposition's military leader Abdel Fattah Junes. That will weaken the National Transitional Council, writes the left-liberal daily Le Monde: » more

Islamists belonging to the rebel forces are presumably responsible for the death of the Libyan opposition's military leader Abdel Fattah Junes. That will weaken the National Transitional Council, writes the left-liberal daily Le Monde: "Ideological quarrels, personal jealousy and other clan conflicts. The heterogeneous, poorly-structured coalition is fragile and raises doubts as to whether the NTC can actually govern. ... The Council can only come out weakened from this affair, menacing to strengthen Tripoli's bid to impose a political solution to the rebellion. Because even though it has increasingly gained international legitimacy, the NTC still gives the impression of being a disorganised movement: with no strong political leadership and limited military capacities despite Nato's support."

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad must answer for his attacks on the population of the rebel stronghold of Hama in the International Criminal Court, writes the left-liberal daily De Morgen: » more

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad must answer for his attacks on the population of the rebel stronghold of Hama in the International Criminal Court, writes the left-liberal daily De Morgen: "The violence shows that the Assad regime has its back to the wall. It is clinging on to power tooth and nail, and is leading a dirty war against its own population. The absolute low point came with the murder of thirteen-year-old Hamza al-Khatib. The child was tortured for a whole month before being shot three times in the chest. ... His corpse showed traces of burn marks from electric shocks on his feet, elbows and knees , and his penis was cut off. If the International community refuses to intervene due to geopolitical or other reasons, we can only hope the demonstrators will be able to topple Bashar. And that unlike his uncle, the dictator will not end up in some chic London district but before the International Criminal Court."

The international community is barely reacting to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's brutal treatment of his own people, the left-liberal daily El País laments: » more

The international community is barely reacting to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's brutal treatment of his own people, the left-liberal daily El País laments: "The international community has no intention of intervening in the same way as it did in Libya. The fear of further destabilising the Middle East - a region where Damascus has a decisive influence - and China and Russia's blockade of any major initiatives against the regime is giving Assad free rein to keep attacking his own people. Having enjoyed the support of the army and the police so far the only thing driving the tyrant to despair is the courage of thousands of his citizens. They are challenging the security forces completely unarmed in Hama after having previously done so in Damascus, Deraa and Banias."

The military chief of the Libyan rebels, Abdel Fattah Junes, was killed under as yet unexplained circumstances on Thursday. This shows once more that the West will not be able to topple the Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi militarily, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

The military chief of the Libyan rebels, Abdel Fattah Junes, was killed under as yet unexplained circumstances on Thursday. This shows once more that the West will not be able to topple the Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi militarily, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "Nine plus nine equals zero in the case of Libya. Nine billion from Nato to get rid of Gaddafi and nine billion from the ruler to hold his ground. ... With the result that the Libyan leader has good chances of remaining in his country. After four and a half months and the effective withdrawal of the US, which has exposed the Europeans' inadequacies, it's obvious that the political goal won't be reached simply by the use of weapons. The European governments have considered the compromise solution of leaving Gaddafi in the country but deprived of his power. Whatever one may think of this about-turn, if an even half-way honourable way out of this mess is to be found, now is the time. Nine plus nine equals zero threatens to become an equation that no one can accept."

In view of the ongoing violence in Syria the EU foreign ministers are threatening further sanctions, but in a way which can hardly be taken seriously, writes the left-liberal daily Delo: » more

In view of the ongoing violence in Syria the EU foreign ministers are threatening further sanctions, but in a way which can hardly be taken seriously, writes the left-liberal daily Delo: "The Union is obviously not willing to burn all its bridges with Syria like it did with Libya. The reason is obvious: although neither Europe nor the US like the politics of President Bashar al-Assad any more than they liked those of his father Hafez, they are aware both of the political significance of Damascus in the Arab world and of Syria's key strategic position in the conflict-torn Middle East. This is why the very conciliatory reaction of the EU, which has once again simply called for an end to the violence and the prisoners' release, is hardly surprising."

The German government is refusing to reveal details about a tank deal with Saudi Arabia. The business paper Hospodářské noviny detects a paradigm shift in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's thinking: » more

The German government is refusing to reveal details about a tank deal with Saudi Arabia. The business paper Hospodářské noviny detects a paradigm shift in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's thinking: "Her uncompromising stance on human rights won her a lot of support during her first term in office. She risked provoking the wrath of China, Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush on Guantanamo Bay. The weapons deal with the Saudis is hardly compatible with this course on human rights. But Angela Merkel remains silent on the subject - officially because the decisions of the Federal Security Council are top secret, but unofficially because this deal is simply indefensible in the eyes of the public."

According to human rights activists, on Monday night eleven people were shot and killed in Hama, the bastion of the rebel movement sealed off by Syrian government troops. The Syrian poet Adonis calls on President Bashar al-Assad to listen to his people in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more

According to human rights activists, on Monday night eleven people were shot and killed in Hama, the bastion of the rebel movement sealed off by Syrian government troops. The Syrian poet Adonis calls on President Bashar al-Assad to listen to his people in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "Democracy presupposes the full separation of religion on the one hand, and politics, social questions and culture on the other. However this is exactly where the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party has failed. The only goal it pursues is to maintain power. A reactionary power, which needs no revolution to topple it as it carries within it the seed of its own destruction. ... Now more than ever Syria needs a new political alphabet. One that is based on a rejection of the unity of the state and the party. ... Only tyrants seek to preserve this unity. Mr President, you are called upon today to put a definitive end to the equation of Syria with the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. ... Events have shown that it has failed right down the line. Arrogance is senseless. Violence will only be counterproductive. Jails can confine individuals, but not an entire people."

The Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi has threatened to carry out terrorist attacks in Europe if Nato continues its air strikes in Libya. But Europe has ... » more

The Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi has threatened to carry out terrorist attacks in Europe if Nato continues its air strikes in Libya. But Europe has demonstrated several times over that it is not afraid of Gaddafi, writes the daily Trud, putting the dictator in his place. "That won't get you anywhere, comrade Gaddafi! ... Europe has never been afraid of you. Certain people may have buttered you up because of your damned oil, including Brits and Americans. But all that's over now! How many years did you spend fraternising with the terrorists of the IRA? Who blew up the Berlin disco La Belle? Wasn't it one of yours who put a bomb in the Pan Am flight, killing 270 people? And what did you get out of it all, apart from delighting in your 'success'? What was it all for? Can't you understand that it's over now? Go! Disappear to wherever you want to, but stop threatening Europe."

Official accounts put the number of those who voted in favour of a constitutional reform curtailing King Mohammed VI's powers in a referendum held on Friday in Morocco at more than 98 percent. But the country is still a long way from true democracy, writes the left-liberal daily El País: » more

Official accounts put the number of those who voted in favour of a constitutional reform curtailing King Mohammed VI's powers in a referendum held on Friday in Morocco at more than 98 percent. But the country is still a long way from true democracy, writes the left-liberal daily El País: "Despite the many limitations to his power, the - incredibly - overwhelming majority with which voters backed the constitutional reform proposed by Mohammed VI show the monarch enjoys far more public trust than most of his Arab counterparts. The King acted quickly to ease the repercussions of Arab Spring tsunami, which is threatening some of the most despotic and long-established regimes on the planet. ... The new constitution is a step in the right direction but it is far from forming the basis for a genuine parliamentary monarchy. And nor was that its purpose. After all, it was drafted by people close to the King and pushed through without any public debate."

Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: » more

Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: "While the ICC has rightly considered purely the judicial merits of the case ... a demand by Gaddafi for amnesty and free passage to, say, Saudi Arabia may form part of an eventual deal to effect transition. At that point the security council may decide pragmatically that the greater good may require the warrant to go unenforced. Until then, however, it should remain in force, part of the panoply of measures that increase the political isolation of an illegitimate regime and a megalomaniac butcher of his own people."

The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "The warrant is an accessory in the hunt for the dictator, who is being pursued with bombs and secret liquidation plans. ... There are rumours that an English-French ground operation involving 130 men is underway with the mission 'shoot and forget'. ... The safari in North Africa has been going on for weeks, and the quarry is injured but tough. ... Gaddafi's death could avoid future difficulties in the region. The rebels are closing in on the areas where Gaddafi still has supporters - places where the rebels are not always seen as liberators. The danger of acts of revenge and violence among the people is great. The removal of the despot would make such a traumatic transition less likely. Now that Gaddafi is a wanted man for crimes against humanity, the allies have one more justification for burying this campaign of a thousand doubts."

Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more

Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "The International Criminal Court cites Gaddafi's repression of demonstrations with every means at his disposal as the reason for the warrant. Fine, but Gaddafi and his henchmen have committed plenty of atrocities in the past. Libyan bombs destroyed the Berlin disco La Belle and blew up a US jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Gaddafi's 'judiciary' condemned Bulgarian nurses in Libya to death. Were those not crimes against humanity? Yes, but they were forgiven after Gaddafi adopted a more accommodating stance to the West. At the time, international justice served politics. Today it metes out victors' justice even though no one has won yet. ... If the Western community is unwilling to help the rebels in their ground war now then Libyan justice should be left to these rebels once they gain power."

The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: » more

The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: "The decision of the judges of the International Criminal Court has a symbolic rather than practical function because there is hardly anyone who can enforce it. ... It's highly unlikely that Gaddafi will ever be put on trial. The rebels can prosecute him in a Libyan court if they catch him. But they could also agree to the even less likely possibility of the colonel leaving the country as a swifter means of ending the civil war."

Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: » more

Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: "Since the spring the demonstrators in Daraa, Homs, Al-Qamishli, Banias, and Latakia have been paying with their lives, massacred by the army, secret service and militias. But they have not ceded to the terror, and must be admired for their courage. The demonstrators bury their dead and resume their protests the next day. All this is admirable. All this is monstrous. All this is happening behind closed doors. The borders are hermetically sealed. Humanitarian organisations and the international press have been banished from the country. Silence please! There's killing going on. All of this, dear diplomats, you know better than anyone. ... It would be a tragedy and morally unacceptable if, for fear of a veto or an abstention from one or the other among you, this resolution were to end up in the wastepaper basket."

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "If it's not easy to wrestle the internationally isolated Gaddafi to the ground, how much harder will it be with a regime that still has powerful friends in the region, for example the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is allied in a strategic alliance with Damascus against Israel and the West? Nevertheless, if it were possible to extract the regime in Damascus from the 'Shiite axis' stretching from the Lebanese Hezbollah to the Palestinians, that is if it were possible to loosen this compact front, it could open chances for new political movements and constellations. ... Assad also benefits from the fact that the demonstrations and unrest have still to reach Aleppo and Damascus, the two largest cities in the country. ... Many people sitting in Damascus have done well by the regime."

Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: » more

Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: "The mission against Gaddafi must not be abandoned too quickly. Nevertheless time is of the essence. The European Nato states are on their last legs, and warn that their funding and other resources are quickly drying up. They look imploringly to their big US brother in the hopes that he'll help them out of their predicament. But after the exhausting battles in Afghanistan and Iraq he's now tired of war. And the US has learned from its own botch-ups in Afghanistan and Iraq that if you go to war you'd better have a good plan. This advice comes too late for Libya. Nevertheless Nato must bring its work to a successful conclusion. There's no other option."

The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: » more

The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: "Despite the massive bomb attacks a dead-end has been reached in military terms. ... So now the path of diplomacy must be resumed. The creation of corridors to help the population suffering under this conflict cannot be done without the approval of Gaddafi, who is the only person responsible for the present course of the war. ... The clear rejection of Italy's proposal highlights the refusal by Paris and London to admit that the current strategy has failed to achieve the envisaged (and announced) goals. At the same time their rejection also raises suspicions that all the activism is in fact driven by domestic election campaign tactics and energy policy goals."

In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: » more

In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: "It has taken too long for Nato to admit that its air strikes have also claimed victims among the civilian population, and it's unclear whether the alliance can be called to account for this. That would be the case if Nato overstepped its mandate. So right now only one question is relevant: what is the actual goal of the Nato operations in Libya, and does that goal justify the means being used to achieve it? ... The basis for the operation was a UN Security Council resolution, the goal of which was to protect the Libyan people. Not to expel the Libyan leader. Not to give the rebels military support. ... Nato must continue to work towards this goal in the interest of the Libyan citizens and in its own interest of securing a hopefully stable situation in the Mediterranean region."

The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: » more

The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: "The intervention of the alliance is completely pointless if instead of protecting the population as the United Nations has ordered it becomes an additional risk. The leadership of the alliance has apologised for the mistake. This was a necessary gesture but by no means enough if we reject the concept of 'collateral damage'. The bombing in Tripoli should be thoroughly investigated, and depending on the results it is crucial that those responsible are called to account. If they are not it would be tantamount to at least partially justifying actions for which the enemy has quite rightly been criticised."

Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: » more

Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: "While the ICC has rightly considered purely the judicial merits of the case ... a demand by Gaddafi for amnesty and free passage to, say, Saudi Arabia may form part of an eventual deal to effect transition. At that point the security council may decide pragmatically that the greater good may require the warrant to go unenforced. Until then, however, it should remain in force, part of the panoply of measures that increase the political isolation of an illegitimate regime and a megalomaniac butcher of his own people."

The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "The warrant is an accessory in the hunt for the dictator, who is being pursued with bombs and secret liquidation plans. ... There are rumours that an English-French ground operation involving 130 men is underway with the mission 'shoot and forget'. ... The safari in North Africa has been going on for weeks, and the quarry is injured but tough. ... Gaddafi's death could avoid future difficulties in the region. The rebels are closing in on the areas where Gaddafi still has supporters - places where the rebels are not always seen as liberators. The danger of acts of revenge and violence among the people is great. The removal of the despot would make such a traumatic transition less likely. Now that Gaddafi is a wanted man for crimes against humanity, the allies have one more justification for burying this campaign of a thousand doubts."

Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more

Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "The International Criminal Court cites Gaddafi's repression of demonstrations with every means at his disposal as the reason for the warrant. Fine, but Gaddafi and his henchmen have committed plenty of atrocities in the past. Libyan bombs destroyed the Berlin disco La Belle and blew up a US jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Gaddafi's 'judiciary' condemned Bulgarian nurses in Libya to death. Were those not crimes against humanity? Yes, but they were forgiven after Gaddafi adopted a more accommodating stance to the West. At the time, international justice served politics. Today it metes out victors' justice even though no one has won yet. ... If the Western community is unwilling to help the rebels in their ground war now then Libyan justice should be left to these rebels once they gain power."

The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: » more

The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: "The decision of the judges of the International Criminal Court has a symbolic rather than practical function because there is hardly anyone who can enforce it. ... It's highly unlikely that Gaddafi will ever be put on trial. The rebels can prosecute him in a Libyan court if they catch him. But they could also agree to the even less likely possibility of the colonel leaving the country as a swifter means of ending the civil war."

Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: » more

Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: "Since the spring the demonstrators in Daraa, Homs, Al-Qamishli, Banias, and Latakia have been paying with their lives, massacred by the army, secret service and militias. But they have not ceded to the terror, and must be admired for their courage. The demonstrators bury their dead and resume their protests the next day. All this is admirable. All this is monstrous. All this is happening behind closed doors. The borders are hermetically sealed. Humanitarian organisations and the international press have been banished from the country. Silence please! There's killing going on. All of this, dear diplomats, you know better than anyone. ... It would be a tragedy and morally unacceptable if, for fear of a veto or an abstention from one or the other among you, this resolution were to end up in the wastepaper basket."

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "If it's not easy to wrestle the internationally isolated Gaddafi to the ground, how much harder will it be with a regime that still has powerful friends in the region, for example the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is allied in a strategic alliance with Damascus against Israel and the West? Nevertheless, if it were possible to extract the regime in Damascus from the 'Shiite axis' stretching from the Lebanese Hezbollah to the Palestinians, that is if it were possible to loosen this compact front, it could open chances for new political movements and constellations. ... Assad also benefits from the fact that the demonstrations and unrest have still to reach Aleppo and Damascus, the two largest cities in the country. ... Many people sitting in Damascus have done well by the regime."

Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: » more

Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: "The mission against Gaddafi must not be abandoned too quickly. Nevertheless time is of the essence. The European Nato states are on their last legs, and warn that their funding and other resources are quickly drying up. They look imploringly to their big US brother in the hopes that he'll help them out of their predicament. But after the exhausting battles in Afghanistan and Iraq he's now tired of war. And the US has learned from its own botch-ups in Afghanistan and Iraq that if you go to war you'd better have a good plan. This advice comes too late for Libya. Nevertheless Nato must bring its work to a successful conclusion. There's no other option."

The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: » more

The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: "Despite the massive bomb attacks a dead-end has been reached in military terms. ... So now the path of diplomacy must be resumed. The creation of corridors to help the population suffering under this conflict cannot be done without the approval of Gaddafi, who is the only person responsible for the present course of the war. ... The clear rejection of Italy's proposal highlights the refusal by Paris and London to admit that the current strategy has failed to achieve the envisaged (and announced) goals. At the same time their rejection also raises suspicions that all the activism is in fact driven by domestic election campaign tactics and energy policy goals."

In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: » more

In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: "It has taken too long for Nato to admit that its air strikes have also claimed victims among the civilian population, and it's unclear whether the alliance can be called to account for this. That would be the case if Nato overstepped its mandate. So right now only one question is relevant: what is the actual goal of the Nato operations in Libya, and does that goal justify the means being used to achieve it? ... The basis for the operation was a UN Security Council resolution, the goal of which was to protect the Libyan people. Not to expel the Libyan leader. Not to give the rebels military support. ... Nato must continue to work towards this goal in the interest of the Libyan citizens and in its own interest of securing a hopefully stable situation in the Mediterranean region."

The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: » more

The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: "The intervention of the alliance is completely pointless if instead of protecting the population as the United Nations has ordered it becomes an additional risk. The leadership of the alliance has apologised for the mistake. This was a necessary gesture but by no means enough if we reject the concept of 'collateral damage'. The bombing in Tripoli should be thoroughly investigated, and depending on the results it is crucial that those responsible are called to account. If they are not it would be tantamount to at least partially justifying actions for which the enemy has quite rightly been criticised."

Bashar al-Assad's regime continues to quell revolts in Syria with undiminished violence. The international community must not look on in silence, the liberal daily Turun Sanomat urges: » more

Bashar al-Assad's regime continues to quell revolts in Syria with undiminished violence. The international community must not look on in silence, the liberal daily Turun Sanomat urges: "In particular the patience shown by France and the UK is slowly coming to an end. They've worked out a resolution in the UN condemning the Syrian measures against the rebels. But it hasn't yet been submitted to the Security Council for approval because of resistance from Russia and China. ... However the international community is unwilling to engage in military intervention in Syria due to the delicate balance in the Middle East. There will not be a new Libya. The external pressure is confined to verbal admonishments and sanctions. However this pressure must be stepped up. The international community cannot sit back and do nothing while a member of the UN kills citizens who are saying no to a dictatorship."

Although they were initially very reserved in the Libya conflict, Russia and China are becoming increasingly pragmatic, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more

Although they were initially very reserved in the Libya conflict, Russia and China are becoming increasingly pragmatic, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "In mid-March the Russians and Chinese withheld their votes in the UN Security Council because of the lack of precision in formulating what form the military intervention should take. Now the Russian ambassador has said during a visit to the rebels that Gaddafi lost all legitimacy the first time shots were fired at Libyan citizens. ... Beijing, which had demanded respect for Libya's sovereignty, is now saying that the decision [on the country's future] lies only with the Libyan people. ... A Russian newspaper yesterday called the Libyan conflict a hidden American-Chinese struggle for influence. It would be ironic if this conflict ended in a military victory for the West with a sugar coating of Chinese capital."

The Nato states have not complied with Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's desire for broader participation in the Libya intervention. This is because the war is chiefly driven by economic interests, writes the Catholic daily Avvenire: » more

The Nato states have not complied with Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's desire for broader participation in the Libya intervention. This is because the war is chiefly driven by economic interests, writes the Catholic daily Avvenire: "No matter how brutal Libya's current ruler may be, was it really worthwhile to declare war against him? ... It must be admitted that if there was no oil in the Libyan Desert there would never have been such a massive deployment of allied forces. You almost get the feeling the decision to bomb Libya was made by the big oil companies rather than states intent on defending democracy. The governments are once again undecided, particularly as the Libyan revolts are different to those in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia. A civil war has broken out in Libya."

The Dutch government has refused to deploy its F-16 fighter jets against the Gaddafi regimes' strategic posts. The right-wing conservative news magazine Elsevier criticises the decision and calls for more commitment: » more

The Dutch government has refused to deploy its F-16 fighter jets against the Gaddafi regimes' strategic posts. The right-wing conservative news magazine Elsevier criticises the decision and calls for more commitment: "According to military theory, every dictator falls once his regime's mainstays are attacked. These may be military headquarters, oil refineries, government buildings or broadcasting towers. In this context the Nato operations must be expanded to encompass ground targets. The British, French and Americans are already doing this. The Danish, Norwegians and even the Belgians are helping them. But the six Dutch F-16s are not allowed to attack ground targets. ... It makes little sense to send aircraft that only pretend to take part in the mission. This demand is not fired by a passion for warfare but in favour of a mission aimed at preventing prolonged bloodshed."

An estimated 120 Syrian soldiers have died under unclarified circumstances. Indications increasingly point to a mutiny that was murderously put down by troops loyal to the government. The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is relying on the same tough approach as the Libyan dictator, writes Pierre Rousselin in his blog Géopolitique: » more

An estimated 120 Syrian soldiers have died under unclarified circumstances. Indications increasingly point to a mutiny that was murderously put down by troops loyal to the government. The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is relying on the same tough approach as the Libyan dictator, writes Pierre Rousselin in his blog Géopolitique: "Bashar al-Assad belongs in the same group as Gaddafi, and he will lead his country into perdition. A regime that tortures children, shoots women and deploys tanks against unarmed crowds has lost any hope of one day regaining even a modicum of legitimacy. ... Within its boundaries it relies on escalation rather than dialogue. Internationally it plays the Palestinian card to provoke Israel and divert attention from its own transgressions. For years the Assad system has been given the benefit of the doubt. With the thousands of deaths in the past eleven weeks that's a thing of the past."

US President Barack Obama has met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington and awarded her the Medal of Freedom. That the atmosphere at the meeting was highly congenial and the tensions over Germany's hesitant stance on Libya seemed forgotten works to the advantage of both politicians, notes the conservative daily Lidové Noviny: » more

US President Barack Obama has met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington and awarded her the Medal of Freedom. That the atmosphere at the meeting was highly congenial and the tensions over Germany's hesitant stance on Libya seemed forgotten works to the advantage of both politicians, notes the conservative daily Lidové Noviny: "Obama and Merkel are in similar situations at present. The US president is battling with a stagnating economy while the German Chancellor is struggling with the euro crisis, the energy turnaround and now the deadly E. coli epidemic. And both will soon have to defend their posts. The US holds presidential elections next year and Germany elects a new parliament in 2013. A joint photo shoot, accompanied by spirited words about their indispensable partnership, can only help matters here. Obama can refute the criticism that he is forgetting Europe and Merkel can boast a strong ally."

The situation in Yemen remains extremely unstable after the departure of its injured president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Vice-President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi promised on Monday to push through the agreed truce. But the country is nonetheless on the brink of civil war, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: » more

The situation in Yemen remains extremely unstable after the departure of its injured president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Vice-President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi promised on Monday to push through the agreed truce. But the country is nonetheless on the brink of civil war, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: "Yemen was also to have its Arab Spring, but the attempt has failed miserably. The situation is hopeless, regardless of whether the president returns to Sanaa or is deposed. ... His son Ahmed, the chief of the powerful Republican Guard, has taken over the reins. ... But if the truce Europe is also hoping for doesn't materialise Yemen faces a humanitarian disaster that would trigger a further tide of refugees. ... The danger of a civil war like that in Somalia is real. Then there's the threat of terrorism. Let us not forget that one of the most charismatic preachers of al-Qaeda's new generation lives in Yemen."

Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh was injured by shrapnel on Friday and is now being treated in Saudi Arabia. He is unlikely to return to Yemen, the liberal daily Tages-Anzeiger notes, adding that the power politics of Saudi Arabia and the US could still block democratic reforms in Yemen: » more

Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh was injured by shrapnel on Friday and is now being treated in Saudi Arabia. He is unlikely to return to Yemen, the liberal daily Tages-Anzeiger notes, adding that the power politics of Saudi Arabia and the US could still block democratic reforms in Yemen: "The Saudis will hardly let him return to Sanaa. Stability in Yemen is no longer possible with him as leader. ... As the main power on the Arab peninsula Saudi Arabia wants peace in Yemen. ... However the Saudis don't want a democratic system either: the reform virus would be just as dangerous for their rigid monarchy as a war on their border. So they will seek a balance and are likely to enjoy the support of the US in this endeavour. The US has little influence in Yemen but fears it as a stronghold for militant Islamists and al-Qaeda fighters. The democratic reforms the demonstrators have been demanding for months in Sanaa could fall by the wayside as a result of this backroom diplomacy."

The G8 states have decided at their summit in Deauville to give Tunisia and Egypt 40 billion dollars to help them on their way to democracy. The daily Público describes this aid for the pioneers of the Arab Spring as a historical move, but contends that the G8 countries must not forget the other Arab reform movements "These countries are being provided with help to ensure their transition to becoming tolerant and democratic societies. It is meant to encourage them and prevent the revolutions in the Arab world from regressing. This is why reference was made to the help Eastern Europe received after the historical fall of the Berlin Wall. However what began as a wave of freedom has split in three: » more

The G8 states have decided at their summit in Deauville to give Tunisia and Egypt 40 billion dollars to help them on their way to democracy. The daily Público describes this aid for the pioneers of the Arab Spring as a historical move, but contends that the G8 countries must not forget the other Arab reform movements "These countries are being provided with help to ensure their transition to becoming tolerant and democratic societies. It is meant to encourage them and prevent the revolutions in the Arab world from regressing. This is why reference was made to the help Eastern Europe received after the historical fall of the Berlin Wall. However what began as a wave of freedom has split in three: the democratic movement (Tunisia and Egypt), the reformist (Algiers, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia) and the oppressed (Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain). But it won't be enough to offer the first wave a tempting 'snack' The West will have to agree on how to deal with the other two currents. For they threaten to turn the summer of Arab hope into an autumn or untimely winter."

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has refused to resign, and the country is now on the brink of a civil war. More than 40 people ... » more

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has refused to resign, and the country is now on the brink of a civil war. More than 40 people were killed in skirmishes in the capital, Sanaa, on Thursday. The business paper Il Sole 24 Ore puts the failure of a diplomatic solution down to Saleh's unbending stance. "Diplomacy has failed in Yemen. Cornered as he now is, President Saleh is encouraging violence to remain in power. ... In recent weeks the Golf Cooperation Council has tried to defuse the crisis on the peninsula for fear of a domino effect. After initially appearing to approve a transition solution which foresaw the formation of a government of national unity and amnesty for Saleh and his relatives, the 68-year-old ruler did a U-turn and is now insisting on his leading role. This is a Putin-style solution which the opposition is not willing to accept."

The G8 heads of state and government meet in the French seaside resort of Deauville today for a two-day summit to discuss the situation in the Arab world. The West will have to adjust to seeing the young democracies make backwards steps, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica concludes: » more

The G8 heads of state and government meet in the French seaside resort of Deauville today for a two-day summit to discuss the situation in the Arab world. The West will have to adjust to seeing the young democracies make backwards steps, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica concludes: "The Western countries of the G8 maintained shady relations with Arab rulers. This didn't exactly enhance the credibility of Western values aimed at promoting democracy and defending human rights. ... Now the time has come to make amends, and perhaps even a collective apology. ... The young Arab democracies will make slow progress, suffer severe setbacks and experience counter-revolutions and restorations in the coming years. ... Despite its generous aid the West will have a hard time overcoming its distrust of the consequences of the Arab Spring. For negotiating with dictators was dishonourable, but at least easier than negotiating with provisional governments."

In his speech before the British parliament on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama called on the world to take concerted action in global politics. The UK and the US in particular will soon be presenting a more united front, comments the conservative daily ABC: » more

In his speech before the British parliament on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama called on the world to take concerted action in global politics. The UK and the US in particular will soon be presenting a more united front, comments the conservative daily ABC: "Europe's strategic interest in the Arab Spring is immense. Once North Africa's economy begins to prosper and it is no longer at the service of the ruling families and their loyal supporters, the number of desperate refugees flooding into Europe will dwindle. But the EU is once more divided and Germany rejects the intervention in Libya. A semi-isolated Germany reduces Europe's strategy to an oxymoron. This in turn has freed Cameron of the old British dilemma: Should the UK strengthen its ties with Europe or its ties with the US? With the EU absent without permission the answer is obvious."

The intensification of Nato attacks in Libya provides Russia and China with the opportunity to boost their profile against the alliance, warns the daily NRC Handelsblad: » more

The intensification of Nato attacks in Libya provides Russia and China with the opportunity to boost their profile against the alliance, warns the daily NRC Handelsblad: "Up to now China and Russia have been critical of how the resolution has been interpreted. They like to convey the impression of being critical of the West and cast themselves as the advocates of the rest of the world, but they don't want to assume responsibility. In the meantime the two states are drawing closer and closer together. ... Next month China's President Hu will pay a state visit to Russia, launching a new phase in their 'strategic partnership'. How far this will go isn't clear yet. In the past distrust has prevailed. ... But the expansion of the Libya mandate offers both countries the unique opportunity to expand their obstructive influence and hinder a broad, internationally backed alliance for bringing peace to Libya."

France and the UK's plans to deploy helicopter gunships in Libya prompt the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung to warn of the risks involved: » more

France and the UK's plans to deploy helicopter gunships in Libya prompt the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung to warn of the risks involved: "Such aircraft are easier to shoot down than fighter jets. And if they are shot down, the Western alliance could become even more deeply involved in the conflict than it already is. That's Nato's basic dilemma in Libya. It's clear to everyone that the rebels can't topple the regime on their own and that the uprising would be on its last legs without the Nato allies. However if Nato toppled the regime it would delegitimise the revolution, which can only be legitimate if the people themselves oust their own leader. Nato continues to attempt a balancing act with its huge arsenal: bombarding Gaddafi's fortress until it's ready to be stormed without stealing victory from the rebels. Time will tell whether this can be achieved."

France and the UK want to transfer fighter helicopters to Libya to boost the attack on the Gaddafi regime. The conflict in Libya has strengthened military ties between Paris and London, notes the conservative daily Le Figaro: » more

France and the UK want to transfer fighter helicopters to Libya to boost the attack on the Gaddafi regime. The conflict in Libya has strengthened military ties between Paris and London, notes the conservative daily Le Figaro: "The crisis in Libya has once more demonstrated Europe's incompetence, but it has also brought us a huge step forward regarding French and British cooperation on defence policy. This was sealed at the highest level by the Lancaster House Agreement signed in London last November. The growing strength of the French-British axis is a real boon to the military intervention in Libya. At the same time the alternate stance taken by Germany is becoming increasingly apparent, which is drifting away on a current of pacifism."

US President Barack Obama commences his tour of Europe today. Historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash writes in the left-liberal daily The Guardian that the Arab Spring must be viewed as a key trans-Atlantic project: » more

US President Barack Obama commences his tour of Europe today. Historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash writes in the left-liberal daily The Guardian that the Arab Spring must be viewed as a key trans-Atlantic project: "There is no project on which strategic partnership between Europe and the United States is more urgently needed than that of responding to the most important single political development of the early 21st century: the Arab spring. I do not say this for the sake of finding something that the two halves of the now-vanished cold war 'West' can do together; I say it because it is simply a fact. ... Only the US can persuade Israel to embrace a two-state solution; only the Europeans can provide the aid, know-how, trade and investment to enable the building of a viable Palestinian state. Only the US has sufficient clout with the Egyptian military to prevent them strangling their country's new democracy at birth. That fledgling democracy cannot, however, grow without access to European markets, education and support across the Mediterranean. ... This should be the third great project of transatlantic partnership since the second world war."

A Swiss delegation last week met with representatives of Egyptian authorities to discuss how the money invested by the Mubarak clan in Switzerland can be returned to Egypt. The liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung urges caution in managing the money of dictators: » more

A Swiss delegation last week met with representatives of Egyptian authorities to discuss how the money invested by the Mubarak clan in Switzerland can be returned to Egypt. The liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung urges caution in managing the money of dictators: "If the figures are to be believed, around a quarter of the movable private assets outside the country are being managed in Switzerland. Switzerland was relatively quick this year to block access to money suspected to belong to the potentates of rebelling North African states, and the amounts that have been located (in total 830 million francs [661 million euros] from Egypt, Libya and Tunisia) seem relatively modest in view of the speculation about far higher sums accumulated by the clans in question. ... Legally it seems there is no urgent call for action, although calls for tougher measures can be heard. ... At any rate the Swiss banks should certainly keep their antenna on the alert."

The chief prosecutor in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, on Monday filed a request for an arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi. The left-leaning daily die tageszeitung finds the gesture irrelevant: » more

The chief prosecutor in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, on Monday filed a request for an arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi. The left-leaning daily die tageszeitung finds the gesture irrelevant: "The Libyan terrorist leader faces considerable threats, but a cell in Scheveningen is not one of them. Firstly, a request for an arrest warrant is not the same as a judicial warrant. In the case of [Sudanese President] Bashir it took around eight months for a warrant to be issued after the request was filed. The Libyan people no longer have that much time. Secondly, the Libyan authorities would be responsible for enforcement, but it's unlikely that they would then proceed to arrest Gaddafi. ... Nothing has changed for Libya. Any other solution than the victory of the freedom fighters is unthinkable. But Moreno-Ocampo says nothing about how this solution is to be achieved. Nor is he in a position to do so. The ball's not in his court."

The demonstrations and unrest in Syria continue undiminished. At least seven people were shot by the regime's security forces at the weekend. But unlike in Libya, fear is preventing the West from intervening here, author Moisés Naím concludes in the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: » more

The demonstrations and unrest in Syria continue undiminished. At least seven people were shot by the regime's security forces at the weekend. But unlike in Libya, fear is preventing the West from intervening here, author Moisés Naím concludes in the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: "Why are the US and Europe bombing Tripoli with missiles but Damascus only with words? ... Because Syria is stronger than Libya militarily. The Syrian military is among the best equipped in the Middle East. The country possesses chemical and biological weapons. Its paramilitary forces are among the thirteen strongest in the world. ... Then there's the exhaustion factor. Libya has quenched the little thirst the US had left for fighting wars that don't affect its own vital interests. The Syrian dissidents are paying the price for the US's long and costly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the intervention in Libya. Washington's military support for distant regions will be more limited and selective from now on. Without the US, however, Europe doesn't exist when it comes to waging wars. So the Syrian dissidents are basically on their own."

Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: » more

Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: "Perhaps there a decisive turning point will be reached in the next few hours that would lead to the collapse of Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime. For now the people of Tripoli are rising up against him. ... For the first time a barracks in the capital has supplied weapons to the rebels. This means the power of the regime is crumbling. Now it remains to be seen whether the rebellion in the hinterland will spread to the capital. We know for sure that the Berbers who live in the mountains between Tripoli and the Tunisian border have taken sides with the rebels. ... They have a good army, perhaps the best available to the rebels. As soon as the time comes this army could quickly start marching towards Tripoli."

The EU decided on Monday to freeze the accounts of 13 relatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and impose a ban on their entering the EU as well as a weapons embargo against Syria. These sanctions come too late, writes the liberal daily Sme: » more

The EU decided on Monday to freeze the accounts of 13 relatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and impose a ban on their entering the EU as well as a weapons embargo against Syria. These sanctions come too late, writes the liberal daily Sme: "How is it possible that these sanctions against some of the highest representatives of the Syrian regime are only being imposed now and that they don't apply to President Assad himself? How is it possible that the EU's weapons embargo was passed only on Monday even though the unrest began two months ago? Both are just gestures, but they should have come earlier, as the clear signals that European politicians are always talking about. ... The reason for this delay lies paradoxically in the so-called common European foreign policy. It has had a negative impact on the EU's capacity to act at an international level because agreements among the major member states must always be laboriously negotiated before any action is taken."

Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: » more

Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: "Perhaps there a decisive turning point will be reached in the next few hours that would lead to the collapse of Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime. For now the people of Tripoli are rising up against him. ... For the first time a barracks in the capital has supplied weapons to the rebels. This means the power of the regime is crumbling. Now it remains to be seen whether the rebellion in the hinterland will spread to the capital. We know for sure that the Berbers who live in the mountains between Tripoli and the Tunisian border have taken sides with the rebels. ... They have a good army, perhaps the best available to the rebels. As soon as the time comes this army could quickly start marching towards Tripoli."

Syria's President Bashar a-Assad tried once again to quell the ongoing anti-government protests in several cities with tanks on the weekend. The US has therefore announced "tough sanctions" against Syria. But the threats of the West are empty blustering and neither Europe nor the US have any real chance of effective intervention, writes the left-liberal daily El País: » more

Syria's President Bashar a-Assad tried once again to quell the ongoing anti-government protests in several cities with tanks on the weekend. The US has therefore announced "tough sanctions" against Syria. But the threats of the West are empty blustering and neither Europe nor the US have any real chance of effective intervention, writes the left-liberal daily El País: "It's true that one would have to be very reckless to suggest a direct intervention in Syria that neither Western public opinion would condone nor the UN could support because Russia and China would be against it. What the West most fears is that the fall of the regime would cause a cataclysm in the region with Iran intervening and the mercilessness of Hizbollah in Lebanon, both allies of the Syrian regime. And less still can be expected from the Arab League, which is full of authoritarian rulers like Assad. Therefore the world looks on helplessly as a massacre unfolds."

One reason why the war in Libya is taking so long is because Nato wants to avoid civilian casualties. The blogger L'Hérétique agrees with this approach on the website of the weekly Marianne, saying it will help the rebels to victory: » more

One reason why the war in Libya is taking so long is because Nato wants to avoid civilian casualties. The blogger L'Hérétique agrees with this approach on the website of the weekly Marianne, saying it will help the rebels to victory: "Nato knows that civilian victims would be a fatal mistake and must be avoided at all costs. For the moment it has managed to keep its nose clean. ... Gaddafi still has supporters in Tripoli. But if the alliance and the rebels continue to ensure that no retaliatory strikes or attacks are made against the civilian population, there is good reason to believe this support will soon crumble. Time is playing against Gaddafi."

Financial aid for the rebels is necessary but not sufficient, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes, calling for more resolution from the alliance: » more

Financial aid for the rebels is necessary but not sufficient, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes, calling for more resolution from the alliance: "The only ones who can decisively influence the course of events are the Americans. With their strategy of reserve they have not only been trying to save their strength but also to show the Europeans - above all the French - that European security policy still depends on the US forces. After just a few weeks of military intervention that message is strikingly clear. ... The question is how long the operation 'Odyssey Dawn' can muddle along without Europe and ultimately also the United States suffering a painful defeat. And the question is also how long those the intervention is meant to save, the civilians in Misrata and Zintan for example, can stand up to the pressure from Gaddafi's henchmen. Could there be anything more cynical than standing by and watching a massacre take place under a no-fly zone?"

The idea of deducting the costs for the international financial aid to the Libyan rebels from Gaddafi's bank accounts is excellent, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

The idea of deducting the costs for the international financial aid to the Libyan rebels from Gaddafi's bank accounts is excellent, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "By establishing a special fund to support the rebels, the Western and Arab countries are sending a clear signal to the insurgents that they are not alone in their fight. But in so doing the financial backers are also to a certain extent washing their hands of the matter, because they don't have to decide what happens with their euros or dollars. If the rebels buy weapons with the money, that's up to them. The best thing would be to tap Gaddafi's frozen accounts all over the world. ... That would have one clear advantage: the long-time dictator himself would then be funding the country's liberation. That would only be fair."

The Syrian security forces have killed more than 500 demonstrators since the start of the protests in Syria, human rights activists estimate. The democratic world must take action against Bashar al-Assad's regime, the liberal daily Dagens Nyheter urges: » more

The Syrian security forces have killed more than 500 demonstrators since the start of the protests in Syria, human rights activists estimate. The democratic world must take action against Bashar al-Assad's regime, the liberal daily Dagens Nyheter urges: "Just because the world can't solve each and every problem doesn't mean passivity must become the norm. Just because it was right to establish a no-fly zone over Libya doesn't mean the same must hold for every other dictatorship. Foreign policy is based on assessments, not wishful thinking. Nevertheless the pressure on Syria must be maintained with conducive means. The US and the EU were too indecisive when it was time to slacken treaties and punish Assad and his murderers. Sanctions are a dull weapon, it's true. And it's all the more pitiful that not even restrictions have been resolved and the regime's henchmen can go on killing as they please. They should know that an international court is waiting for those who shoot mercilessly at their own people."

Representatives of the hitherto hostile Palestinian organisations Hamas and Fatah signed a peace agreement in Cairo on Wednesday. The left-liberal daily The Guardian finds it remarkable that Egypt is now once more emerging as a major player in the Middle East peace process so soon after its revolution: » more

Representatives of the hitherto hostile Palestinian organisations Hamas and Fatah signed a peace agreement in Cairo on Wednesday. The left-liberal daily The Guardian finds it remarkable that Egypt is now once more emerging as a major player in the Middle East peace process so soon after its revolution: "The Cairo accord could well turn out to be as fragile as the one signed in Mecca four years ago. It can still be undermined in a myriad of ways. But the clock itself cannot be so easily put back. The new factor which will not be changed is Egypt's re-emergence as a major player in the Middle East. No one expected a foreign policy to emerge before a domestic one, least of all before the government itself had been formed. But if Egypt succeeds in projecting its will as Turkey has done, it has the numbers to change the balance of power. It is wholly in the interests of the US and the EU to have a government in Cairo that will keep a peace accord with Israel but not be servile to its interests."

The ideology of the al-Qaida network could dissolve following the death of Osama bin Laden, writes the US journalist Thomas L. Friedman in the daily La Repubblica, noting that the Arab Spring is patently a counter-movement to the ideology of terror. This Bin Ladenism "emerged from a devil's bargain between oil-consuming countries and Arab dictators. We all - Europe, America, India, China - treated the Arab world as a collection of big gas stations, and all of us sent the same basic message to the petro-dictators: » more

The ideology of the al-Qaida network could dissolve following the death of Osama bin Laden, writes the US journalist Thomas L. Friedman in the daily La Repubblica, noting that the Arab Spring is patently a counter-movement to the ideology of terror. This Bin Ladenism "emerged from a devil's bargain between oil-consuming countries and Arab dictators. We all - Europe, America, India, China - treated the Arab world as a collection of big gas stations, and all of us sent the same basic message to the petro-dictators: Keep the oil flowing, the prices low and don't bother Israel too much and you can treat your people however you like, out back, where we won't look. Bin Laden and his followers were a product of all the pathologies that were allowed to grow in the dark out back - crippling deficits of freedom, women's empowerment and education across the Arab world. These deficits nurtured a profound sense of humiliation among Arabs at how far behind they had fallen, a profound hunger to control their own futures and a pervasive sense of injustice in their daily lives. That is what is most striking about the Arab uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia in particular. They were almost apolitical. They were not about any ideology. They were propelled by the most basic human longings for dignity, justice and to control one's own life."

The bloody repression of the demonstrations in Syria has once more put in question the legitimacy of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the left liberal daily Le Monde writes, and calls for UN intervention: » more

The bloody repression of the demonstrations in Syria has once more put in question the legitimacy of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the left liberal daily Le Monde writes, and calls for UN intervention: "The Easter uprising in the city of Daraa and the massive attacks on the population with soldiers and tanks show that the young Alawite generals are following in the footsteps of their fathers. The official explanation is that the army intervened at the request of the population to neutralise terrorists. Damascus even had the border with Jordan closed to support the theory of foreign incitement. A foreign conspiracy, a refusal to carry out reforms or to engage in dialogue: all the elements of a bloody scenario for securing the power of the Alawitic regime are in place. The declarations and threats of sanctions by the Western community are insufficient. What is needed is a new UN resolution on an intervention, even if it is unlikely to come."

In view of the crimes committed by Libya's head of state Muammar al-Gaddafi the Nato attacks on his clan are perfectly justified, writes the tabloid De Telegraaf: » more

In view of the crimes committed by Libya's head of state Muammar al-Gaddafi the Nato attacks on his clan are perfectly justified, writes the tabloid De Telegraaf: "We shouldn't forget that Gaddafi and his clan are masterminding crimes against humanity from the very buildings that are now being targeted by Nato. This week the International Court of Justice is due to inform the UN Security Council of its findings regarding the atrocities committed by the Gaddafi regime. Among those crimes are not just air strikes against its own people but also the torture and kidnapping of citizens, the execution of hospital patients and shooting at demonstrators. There is ample proof for a criminal investigation. This illustrates how justified Nato's actions are."

Nato should refrain from trying to kill Muammar al-Gaddafi, writes the liberal Financial Times Deutschland: » more

Nato should refrain from trying to kill Muammar al-Gaddafi, writes the liberal Financial Times Deutschland: "Even now China and Russia feel duped because their abstention in the Security Council paved the way for a military attack which is now taking on a greater scope than what they had initially anticipated. Targeted attacks on Gaddafi's clan will only reinforce this impression and further erode their trust. It's hardly imaginable that there could ever be a similar UN Security Council resolution after this. But there is an even more pressing practical argument. Nato will only succeed in killing Gaddafi - if at all - at the cost of serious collateral damage: civilian victims whose death will not only fuel the hatred of Gaddafi's fanatic supporters but also fan worldwide doubts over the Nato mission in Libya. ... Nato would do better to focus on military targets. If Gaddafi is hit in the process, so much the better."

The Libyan regime is exploiting the alleged killing of Gaddafi's son Saif for its own propaganda purposes. This only highlights the contradictions of the Nato intervention, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: » more

The Libyan regime is exploiting the alleged killing of Gaddafi's son Saif for its own propaganda purposes. This only highlights the contradictions of the Nato intervention, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: "The death of Gaddafi's son is inauspicious and was immediately used by the regime in its PR war. That's a legitimate ploy. This counter-attack is clever to the extent that it highlights the weaknesses of the coalition that has been bombarding Libya for the past seven weeks: its inner contradictions, the unformulated, unclear goals of the war and its failure to bring swift victory. These are Gaddafi's only true weapons. ... Nevertheless one shouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture: even if the Libyan regime still exists and can chalk up points now and then, it can no longer change the situation. It may take some time, but Gaddafi's days are numbered."

The death of one of Gaddafi's sons in a Nato air strike should never have happened, writes the liberal daily The Independent, arguing that Nato should not assume the role of warlord in Libya: » more

The death of one of Gaddafi's sons in a Nato air strike should never have happened, writes the liberal daily The Independent, arguing that Nato should not assume the role of warlord in Libya: "After six weeks of bombing, the situation in Libya looks like stalemate. Gaddafi's regime has proved resilient and his forces loyal. Advisers from France, Italy and Britain have been sent to assist the opposition and the US has dispatched unmanned drones. In this context, the bombing of the compound begins to look like an act born of desperation; a desire to force a quick resolution before partition becomes inevitable. Yet this is the Libyan opposition's fight, not Nato's. If the rebels are to achieve their objective of removing Gaddafi and uniting the country, they have to be seen to be leading the resistance. Nato does them, or indeed itself, no favours by trying to force the pace."

Israel should make the best of its opponents' current weakness and seize the chance to make peace with the Palestinians, writes the liberal conservative daily The Times: » more

Israel should make the best of its opponents' current weakness and seize the chance to make peace with the Palestinians, writes the liberal conservative daily The Times: "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has so far proved intractable because it is not primarily a border dispute. If it were, then a territorial settlement, along frontiers approximating the pre-1967 armistice line, might have been achieved decades ago. A more fundamental problem is that Israel has not had a negotiating partner that it can trust. Not all Israeli governments have been assiduous in seeking one, but the demand for security is incontrovertibly just. That much helps to explain the position of Mr Netanyahu. But his position is politically self-defeating. The Arab Spring has undermined the death-squad despotism in Syria; that in turn weakens Hamas, Syria's client. The most opportune time to secure a pacific, two-state territorial accommodation in the Middle East is when its enemies are weakest. That time is now."

The attempt by four European states to condemn Syrian violence against demonstrators by means of a UN resolution has failed. In view of Assad's brutal oppression of his people such a resolution would accomplish little anyway, writes the daily Trouw: » more

The attempt by four European states to condemn Syrian violence against demonstrators by means of a UN resolution has failed. In view of Assad's brutal oppression of his people such a resolution would accomplish little anyway, writes the daily Trouw: "Certainly, such a signal would not be unimportant as moral support for the Syrian demonstrators. But it would not bring Assad's regime to its knees. That could only be achieved through military intervention. ... However Syria is not Libya. ... A military strike could spark a civil war in this country on Iraq's border, and would have far-reaching consequences for this region where Lebanon, Turkey and Israel are watching like hawks what happens in Syria. The strongest instrument the international community has at its disposal for countering Assad is the complete isolation of his regime, including by his Arab allies."

The US stands to gain from Assad's being weakened politically in his own country without military intervention, writes the left-liberal daily To Ethnos: » more

The US stands to gain from Assad's being weakened politically in his own country without military intervention, writes the left-liberal daily To Ethnos: "The air strikes of the US, France, the UK and Nato against Libya have shown that military intervention is not even enough to topple a regime as weak as Gaddafi's. ... Assad's regime, on the other hand, is very useful to the US. And a war waged by the US and Nato against Syria would very likely lead to a military explosion in many Arab countries. ... On the other hand an Assad weakened by the bloody demonstrations will be much easier for the US to deal with."

A military strike in Syria carries too many risks, according to the news magazine Wprost: » more

A military strike in Syria carries too many risks, according to the news magazine Wprost: "The cynics would say that there is and will be no intervention because Syria is poor and has no oil. But this explanation is trite, oversimplified and inaccurate. The truth is that the situation in the Middle East is unusually difficult and the West is at a loss as to how to react. With Barack Obama's government you can't rule out an idealist motivation, but even the idealists must pursue the path of the realists and be aware of their own limits. A military intervention would lead to a definitive freeze in relations between the West and Iran which are already not the best. It would also put the security of the allies Israel, Jordan and Lebanon at risk."

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues to bank on the West viewing him as an indispensable stability factor in the region, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: » more

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues to bank on the West viewing him as an indispensable stability factor in the region, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: "Assad acts as if he wanted to prove that his departure would necessarily involve a long and bloody civil war. He believes that the West fears this most of all, and that consequently it will look on helplessly from a distance while Assad continues to oppress his people. It is high time that the leaders of the Western world let the Syrian president know he can forget becoming a member of the international community of states if he continues to use violence against demonstrators. Otherwise the West will lose its credibility in that part of the Arab World that firmly believes in democracy."

The Italian air force is now taking active part in the Libyan civil war. Military targets may be attacked in the effort to protect the civilian population, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday in Rome. The Catholic daily Avvenire takes a critical view of the operation: » more

The Italian air force is now taking active part in the Libyan civil war. Military targets may be attacked in the effort to protect the civilian population, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday in Rome. The Catholic daily Avvenire takes a critical view of the operation: "The unease and concern about an escalation in Libya are justified. It appears that the possibilities for a diplomatic solution are not being seriously explored. ... But will the bombing provide a solution? We don't know. We only know that it costs human lives, for people in uniforms are also lost lives. And this will have its political price because any compromise with the Libyan ruler is impossible from now on. We are facing a long war on the banks of the Mediterranean, the division of Libya, an exodus to Europe and potential energy supply shortages."

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered tanks to be deployed against demonstrators at the start of the week. The West is perplexed over how to react to the violence, writes the leftist daily Pravda: » more

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered tanks to be deployed against demonstrators at the start of the week. The West is perplexed over how to react to the violence, writes the leftist daily Pravda: "The government in Syria will hold out for as long as it has an army at its disposal that is ready to shoot at protesters. Assad will not give up so easily. And he has no reason to, in part because no one would approve a military operation of the likes we're seeing in Libya. For reasons of security policy the country is considerably more complicated than Libya. In addition there are the interests of Iran, Israel and the Arab states to be considered. ... Calls by the UN to stop the violence are necessary but not really effective. Sanctions could put pressure on the dictatorship but no doubt only the West would vote for them, not China or Russia. Even if it's frustrating that words change nothing we must not fall silent. Because the regime in Syria long ago transgressed all boundaries."

At least 30 people have been killed in the fighting between troops loyal to the regime and rebels in the Libyan city of Misrata over the past few days. Nato and above all the US must take decisive action in Libya, the daily De Volkskrant demands: » more

At least 30 people have been killed in the fighting between troops loyal to the regime and rebels in the Libyan city of Misrata over the past few days. Nato and above all the US must take decisive action in Libya, the daily De Volkskrant demands: "The confrontation in Misrata illustrates once more that on the battlefield even the best intentions can have terrible consequences. In principle it's good that Nato wants the keep the level of violence in Libya relatively low - the military intervention is primarily humanitarian in its goals. But if the opponents don't follow this example and shamelessly exploit the leeway this will lead to more rather than fewer victims. ... This is obviously the case in Misrata. The same paradox applies to the White House's stance. It's understandable that President Obama doesn't want to get involved in a third war. ... But if the United States limits itself to a minor role Nato won't have the force or the weapons to establish order in Libya."

Following mass protests in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, the regime had its tanks shoot at protesters for the first time on Monday. The left-liberal daily Der Standard is convinced Syria will be the next country to be gripped by civil war: » more

Following mass protests in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, the regime had its tanks shoot at protesters for the first time on Monday. The left-liberal daily Der Standard is convinced Syria will be the next country to be gripped by civil war: "It was Hosni Mubarak of all people who once told a foreign visitor back in the 1990s that if Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime were to be toppled it would mean toppling ... hundreds if not thousands of party liners as well. Many see the situation in Syria as similar and this means that these hundreds and thousands and all their clients whose existence depends on hanging on to their positions of power will fight. We can see in Libya what the result could be. And despite the escalating revolts there are still many people in Syria who are not for but against the movement. This means: if history doesn't take a completely different direction Syria could become the next country to plunge into civil war in the region."

The humanitarian situation in several Libyan cities makes it vital to start thinking about deploying ground troops there, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: » more

The humanitarian situation in several Libyan cities makes it vital to start thinking about deploying ground troops there, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: "It is becoming increasingly obvious that the fight against Gaddafi can't be won from the air. If Gaddafi's military actions and attacks are to be effectively stopped, ground forces must be deployed. Perhaps the decision of Britain and France to send a limited number of officers as advisers is an indication that this will happen. Up to now France has been against such action. Libya is increasingly becoming a test of whether Nato can carry out a mission which is not led by the US."

The embattled city of Misrata highlights the awkwardness of Nato's position in Libya, writes the weekly paper De Groene Amsterdammer: » more

The embattled city of Misrata highlights the awkwardness of Nato's position in Libya, writes the weekly paper De Groene Amsterdammer: "Misrata brings back painful memories of a surrounded Sarajevo that for four years was a symbol of international failure and cynical war policy. ... The Bosnian authorities were reluctant to open up an escape route for the starving population because this would have meant losing a moral trump card for forcing the international community to help them. ... The suffering in Misrata could help the rebels force Nato to intervene. ... What was presented as rapid humanitarian aid threatens to degenerate into a dirty war with an uncertain outcome. For we still know only nine of the 31 rebel leaders by name, and there is still no clear Nato strategy."

Deploying ground troops in Libya would have a considerable political fallout, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

Deploying ground troops in Libya would have a considerable political fallout, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Should individual members of the Security Council extend the mandate to encompass such action they will encounter fierce opposition. ... This military operation could probably be decided on the ground, but it would be an historical mistake if European troops were to go to war on Arab soil with largely unknown partners and an unclear outcome. It's more honest, as bitter as this may be, to continue providing the help they can - humanitarian, diplomatic, with huge political pressure - but within the framework of the current consensus. The political damage in Libya and the Middle East will be great. But not as great as a Nato war fought on Arab soil or a military mission undertaken by the West without the corresponding mandate."

Europe's indecision regarding Libya is down to a lack of consensus, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more

Europe's indecision regarding Libya is down to a lack of consensus, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "We can't be spectators of a drama in which we are directly involved by reason of our geographical proximity and the fact that it's about oil. ... The true reasons for the operation are political and economic, not humanitarian. ... Never before has it been so clear how much Europe's helplessness stems from the lack of a common policy. Only a united Europe would have made the just decision to back the uprising of the youth in the Arab world with an intervention not motivated by the desire to rule. This would have put Europe in a position to use its considerable political and economic clout to put the uprisings on the path to democracy."

Up to one thousand people are said to have been killed last week in the rebel-controlled Libyan city of Misrata, 80 procent of them allegedly civilians killed by Gaddafi's troops. The liberal daily Karjalainen no longer believes in a political solution to the conflict: » more

Up to one thousand people are said to have been killed last week in the rebel-controlled Libyan city of Misrata, 80 procent of them allegedly civilians killed by Gaddafi's troops. The liberal daily Karjalainen no longer believes in a political solution to the conflict: "Should the high number of civilian victims prove correct, this is more of a genocide than a civil war. It has already been clear for a long time that Gaddafi's government does not shy away from defending its position with every means at its disposal, even the bloodiest. The longer the situation lasts, the more suffering will be caused. Unfortunately it looks as if things do not stand to improve rapidly unless the West intervenes. The US, the UK and France have promised the operations will last until peace is established. The political solution hoped for by Russia is an empty utopia."

French authorities temporarily blocked trains from Italy on Sunday in a bid to prevent Tunisian immigrants who have been granted temporary Shengen visas by Italy from entering the country. French President Sarkozy is on a cheap quest for votes which casts doubt on the very foundations of the EU, the left-liberal daily El País warns: » more

French authorities temporarily blocked trains from Italy on Sunday in a bid to prevent Tunisian immigrants who have been granted temporary Shengen visas by Italy from entering the country. French President Sarkozy is on a cheap quest for votes which casts doubt on the very foundations of the EU, the left-liberal daily El País warns: "It is not difficult to link this measure that conflicts with the Schengen agreement on free circulation within the EU with President Nicolas Sarkozy's rapidly sinking popularity and the intense preparations for the presidential elections in 2012. ... The European Union is evidently not at its best right now, as its inane and largely rhetorical reaction to the democratic changes in the Arab world indicate. All this is causing the different states to act bilaterally and counter to the European construct, as in the case of the military intervention of France and the UK in Libya. If Schengen falls now we must start to ask why the union of 27 states exists at all."

The Nato foreign ministers have been discussing the extent and the goals of the mission in Libya. As the US is displaying reserve for the first time in the history of the alliance, the other Nato members are obliged to close ranks, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

The Nato foreign ministers have been discussing the extent and the goals of the mission in Libya. As the US is displaying reserve for the first time in the history of the alliance, the other Nato members are obliged to close ranks, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Suddenly it is up to the European section of the alliance to act, suddenly Nato must function without the US. If it doesn't, it will be finished. Astonishingly, despite all the political and military problems, the Libya mission hasn't provoked any major discord so far. Germany's shilly-shallying has been shrugged off as typical German reserve, France is being praised for its resolve despite all its escapades, while the US is finding out that its partners can be equal to a task if you only give them a chance. This closing of political ranks is Nato's strongest weapon. If Gaddafi is not completely blinded it should be his biggest worry at present."

The Nato military mission in Libya has both overt and covert goals, the weekly paper Le Jeudi writes, and calls for transparency: » more

The Nato military mission in Libya has both overt and covert goals, the weekly paper Le Jeudi writes, and calls for transparency: "The avowed goal of this mission is to protect Libya's civilian population from Gaddafi's troops. Nevertheless the real goal remains the overthrow of the Libyan leader. ... As to the question of the legitimacy of such an operation, it remains an open issue, both because numerous other countries are still under the yoke of dictators and other tyrants and because of the risk that the combat may drag on and on. ... The sole certainty is that the Arab Spring marks a clear dividing line between an old order and a new one which however has yet to be invented."

France and the UK demanded an extension of military operations in Libya at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin on Thursday. The left-liberal daily El País, however, argues that non-military strategies should be promoted: » more

France and the UK demanded an extension of military operations in Libya at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin on Thursday. The left-liberal daily El País, however, argues that non-military strategies should be promoted: "Continuing the intervention solely for the sake of not damaging Nato's credibility could compromise the military balance. However if the boundaries of the 1973 resolution are overstepped there is a higher risk of this war becoming illegal. Perhaps the time has come for the Security Council to review the situation in Libya and either expand the mandate to include the deployment of ground forces or to confirm the current framework for the operations. Should the latter be the case, which is more likely, the main powers would have no option but to apply more forcefully the non-military aspects foreseen in the 1973 resolution. This should have been done from the outset and can now no longer be postponed."

The conservative daily Lidové noviny is unenthusiastic at the prospect of a trial for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak: » more

The conservative daily Lidové noviny is unenthusiastic at the prospect of a trial for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak: "Autocrats must either die in office like Franco in Spain, hand over power in a controlled fashion like Chile's Pinochet, or leave the country in time like the Shah of Iran or recently the Tunisian Ben Ali. Anyone who misses the chance has tough luck. Now Mubarak has become the symbol for such misfortunate rulers. Investigations are underway against the former president for violence against demonstrators and corruption. But let's be frank: Mubarak has no more violence on his conscience than any other Arab or African ruler. And can we believe that in a country where corruption has deep roots and Mubarak ruled for 30 years that corruption was limited to a single family and the tiniest ruling clique?"

The arrest of Egyptian ex-president Hosni Mubarak is also a warning to other authoritarian rulers, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: » more

The arrest of Egyptian ex-president Hosni Mubarak is also a warning to other authoritarian rulers, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: "It is a confirmation for those who had doubts that the leaders of kleptocratic regimes that have oppressed their people for decades … will not go unpunished. The worst that could happen in this phase is for the fallen tyrants to escape trial. This is a warning to all the other dictators in other countries of the Maghreb and the Middle East who are clinging desperately to their power. … It would be absurd if the peaceful movements that have ended the dictatorships in Tunisia and Egypt didn't have consequences both at a political and juridical level. Putting the Mubarak family on trial is an indispensable step."

Dictators will do anything to avoid punishment. The former president of Egypt is said to have suffered a heart attack as he was about to be interrogated, and Yemen's president has requested immunity in return for leaving his country. The left-liberal daily The Guardian discusses how to deal with tyrants: » more

Dictators will do anything to avoid punishment. The former president of Egypt is said to have suffered a heart attack as he was about to be interrogated, and Yemen's president has requested immunity in return for leaving his country. The left-liberal daily The Guardian discusses how to deal with tyrants: "Allowing them to go 'with dignity' may not be what they deserve, but sometimes it may be the most practical solution and it might also smooth the way for easing out other dictators in other countries. No tyrant is going to agree to leave if it means being hanged, drawn and quartered as soon as he steps down. Besides the relief, though, there is also anger at what they have done - and not to address that would be unfair to the victims of their misrule. Tempting as it may be to seek retribution, retribution for its own sake doesn't achieve much. The way members of the old regime are treated should set the tone for the new regime."

The hopes of peace in Libya have been dashed for the time being after the rebels rejected as inadequate a plan drawn up by the African Union that had been accepted by Gaddafi. In the opinion of the conservative daily Lidové noviny the plan was doomed to fail from the outset: » more

The hopes of peace in Libya have been dashed for the time being after the rebels rejected as inadequate a plan drawn up by the African Union that had been accepted by Gaddafi. In the opinion of the conservative daily Lidové noviny the plan was doomed to fail from the outset: "If there is a sensible solution it has to be an African or Arab one. If the West tries to do this there will soon be talk of imperialism, colonialism or even a crusade. ... The African Union's plan could never have worked because both belong to Africa: the rebels and Gaddafi. The plan was aimed not at Gaddafi's stepping down but at an agreement with the rebels. Who would bet on such a plan working? The African Union however, has no other option. It has neither military power nor money. And if it does have money it comes from Gaddafi, the founding father of this Union."

The German state of Bavaria wants to prevent refugees from Tunisia from entering the country via the German-Austrian border, if necessary by ramping up control measures. The Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten criticises the lacking solidarity among the EU member states when it comes to refugees: » more

The German state of Bavaria wants to prevent refugees from Tunisia from entering the country via the German-Austrian border, if necessary by ramping up control measures. The Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten criticises the lacking solidarity among the EU member states when it comes to refugees: "As soon as refuges start spilling across Europe's borders in large numbers the EU countries stop being nice to each other. ... The dreadful situation shows that Europe has gone astray when it comes to refugee and immigration policy. The responsibility for asylum-seekers and refugees lies solely with those who patrol Europe's borders. And if the Italians, Greeks or Spanish are unable to cope with the situation, instead of stepping in to help the other countries start cutting themselves off as Bavaria and other central Europeans are doing now. The pressure from the refugees won't lessen. Here too, Europe will have to find a united approach to the problem instead of trying to pass it on to others."

The most violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the fall of the long-standing ruler Hosni Mubarak took place at Tahir Square in Cairo on the weekend. The revolutionary wave in the Arab world is not automatically establishing democratic structures, the Catholic daily Avvenire writes: » more

The most violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the fall of the long-standing ruler Hosni Mubarak took place at Tahir Square in Cairo on the weekend. The revolutionary wave in the Arab world is not automatically establishing democratic structures, the Catholic daily Avvenire writes: "As to be expected, in Egypt too there has been a return to violence at the symbolic place of the revolts. The power elites were willing to sacrifice the ruler who symbolised the regime but are putting up a lot more fierce resistance to handing over the true power because they will then fall victim to their old political opponent. After the pharaoh's fall all the elements of conflict remain intact - the military that controls the transition, the administrational elite, the liberal opposition and the Muslim radicals and a youth without prospects. A solution that would be satisfactory for all is practically impossible."

There is no sign that the situation in Libya could soon be resolved in favour of Gaddafi's opponents, which faces Nato with a strategic dilemma, writes the liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

There is no sign that the situation in Libya could soon be resolved in favour of Gaddafi's opponents, which faces Nato with a strategic dilemma, writes the liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "Nato can reduce the strength of Gaddafi's troops over time with its air strikes, but it can't eliminate the rebels' weaknesses. Their command structures are inefficient, they lack modern weapons, combat experience, mobility and logistics. Morale will become a major risk factor if they don't chalk up substantial successes in a hurry. But the allies don't want to supply them with weapons, at least not in a big way. Support from Western secret services may make up for certain deficits, but it's doubtful that this can be decisive for victory."

An overfilled refugee boat from Libya sank on Wednesday off the Italian island Lampedusa. Twenty corpses have been found and up to 250 people are reported to be missing. It is time for Europe to take action in this refugee crisis, writes the daily Trouw: » more

An overfilled refugee boat from Libya sank on Wednesday off the Italian island Lampedusa. Twenty corpses have been found and up to 250 people are reported to be missing. It is time for Europe to take action in this refugee crisis, writes the daily Trouw: "That means redistributing the burden that until now has been borne mainly by Italy. But it also means searching for solutions and easing the despair that drives people to put their lives on the line. Cooperation with the countries of North Africa is indispensable. ... But it is only possible with states that guarantee their citizens a minimum of security. For countries like Libya, Eritrea or Somalia that does not hold at present. ... People from these countries must be taken in by Europe, whereupon the EU must act as a union, distributing the refugees among member states and jointly bearing the costs."

The defection of Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is clear evidence of the gradual erosion of the system that bolsters the anti-Gaddafi coalition: » more

The defection of Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is clear evidence of the gradual erosion of the system that bolsters the anti-Gaddafi coalition: "As the last few days have shown, the rebels are still weaker than Gaddafi's troops in terms of firing power and the number of trained fighters. They must therefore pin their hopes on the psychological impact, and that those loyal to Gaddafi will realise that fighting for him is a lost cause not worth risking their lives or health for. ... The best scenario would of course be for Gaddafi himself to throw in the towel and go into exile. Judging however by his appearances so far and his personality, this is not very likely. ... But now that someone like Moussa Koussa has defected many others within the circle of power around Gaddafi will be asking themselves whether it's not high time for them to do the same."

The flight of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is a sign that Gaddafi is losing the support of his government, the liberal daily Aamulehti writes: » more

The flight of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is a sign that Gaddafi is losing the support of his government, the liberal daily Aamulehti writes: "The safest way to survive in politics is to side with the winner. The Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa's defection to the West makes him the highest-ranking Libyan leader so far to assume that the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi won't wind up winning this war. ... Air strikes alone won't resolve the Libyan power struggle. Because sending ground troops to Libya isn't feasible for many reasons the alliance could support the rebels with for example weapons instead and hope that Gaddafi's government crumbles from within. Koussa's change of sides is an encouraging sign that Gaddafi's supporters are dwindling in number. He, too, will have to realise at some point that a leader without troops has no future."

Commenting on the departure of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa for the UK, the conservative paper The Daily Telegraph argues he should be spared from standing trial: » more

Commenting on the departure of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa for the UK, the conservative paper The Daily Telegraph argues he should be spared from standing trial: "Should he be greeted as an enlightened turncoat whose example will encourage other Gaddafi lieutenants to follow suit; or should he be investigated and, if necessary, prosecuted for his alleged role in the regime's crimes? ... Mr Cameron said yesterday he hoped that Mr Koussa's desertion would encourage others of Gaddafi's entourage to abandon him - but that is hardly likely if they think they will end up in prison. So far, the Prime Minister has scrupulously set out his case for intervention in Libya on grounds of high principle. But where Mr Koussa is concerned, his desire to do what is right is about to collide with the requirements of a foreign policy in which it might be more important to do what is necessary."

It would be extremely risky for the international community to arm the Libyan rebels, writes the liberal daily The Independent: » more

It would be extremely risky for the international community to arm the Libyan rebels, writes the liberal daily The Independent: "Certainly the thinking of Britain, France and the US appears to have shifted, as the pro-Gaddafi forces have counter-attacked. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, now suggests that UN Security Council resolution 1973 might have trumped the arms embargo currently in force, and David Cameron is refusing to rule out supplying weapons. Such a change, however, would be risky in the extreme. ... An express decision to supply arms to the opposition, however, would have two effects: in the short term, it would end any coalition claim to be neutral; in the longer term, there is the example of Afghanistan, where US weapons supplied to the anti-Soviet mujahedin are now being used against American forces by the Taliban."

If the international alliance starts supplying the Libyan rebels with weapons it will be taking a number of risks, the leftist daily De Volkskrant warns: » more

If the international alliance starts supplying the Libyan rebels with weapons it will be taking a number of risks, the leftist daily De Volkskrant warns: "It is becoming clear that with their limited materials and inexperience the rebels will not be able to contend with the heavy artillery of Gaddafi's experienced troops. It will take more than the no-fly zone to prevent the rebels from losing the battle. But must they be armed to be able to win the war? This would require a large-scale support operation that includes training in how to use the weapons. And that could suck the coalition much deeper into the Libyan conflict than it already is. Moreover there is the danger that modern weapons could fall into the hands of groups that perhaps later won't be so keen on freedom and democracy. The Americans of all people know very well that not every enemy of the enemy is a friend."

According to a report in the New York Times, the Libyan rebels are receiving help from the US and British intelligence services. The latter could prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more

According to a report in the New York Times, the Libyan rebels are receiving help from the US and British intelligence services. The latter could prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "What do the rebels need? Certainly not just weapons and ammunition but apparently tanks and long-range missiles too. ... But above all the rebels must learn to fight. This will take time and should be supervised by the allies. ... There is also the fear that Libya could turn into a second Afghanistan. The US first helped the Mujahideen to get rid of the Russians and then came up against al-Qaeda. There are already rumours about the presence of Islamist fundamentalists among the rebels. ... Preventing members of the al-Qaeda terrorist network from infiltrating the rebels' ranks will no doubt be among the tasks of the US secret agents."

Neither military intervention nor supplying arms to the Libyan opposition will advance the process of democratisation in the country, writes Daniel Passent in the online edition of the news magazine Polityka: » more

Neither military intervention nor supplying arms to the Libyan opposition will advance the process of democratisation in the country, writes Daniel Passent in the online edition of the news magazine Polityka: "President Obama said the US will intervene when its own security is threatened, but also to protect universal values. I understand that the United States must support the revolutions in the Arab World - just as they supported those in Eastern Europe. But it is somehow naive to believe that with the help of Tomahawk missiles the democratic process will be accelerated in Arab countries. The operation in Libya has aroused doubts from the start. ... For that reason I support the standpoint of the Polish government, which makes no bones about its reservations here."

In response to popular unrest Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has announced the establishment of a committee tasked with exploring ways to end the state of emergency imposed in 1963. This is a ridiculous gesture that will only lead to more violence, according to the daily De Volkskrant: » more

In response to popular unrest Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has announced the establishment of a committee tasked with exploring ways to end the state of emergency imposed in 1963. This is a ridiculous gesture that will only lead to more violence, according to the daily De Volkskrant: "It's dangerous of Assad to think he can address the legitimate complaints of the Syrian people by setting up a committee and making empty promises. The Syrians have had more than enough of the unemployment, the corruption and the brutal security services of his Shiite minority regime in a country with a predominantly Sunni population. There will be more violence. Assad has unfortunately turned out to be the ruthless son of his ruthless, dictatorial father. After the death of Hafez al-Assad in 2000 there were hopes that the young Bashar would set a Syrian Spring in motion. ... Now he has shown his true colours. Nothing can be expected of him except more repression."

The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered what he had announced would be a historical speech on Wednesday. However instead of dealing with the state of emergency under which the country has been for 48 years he talked of a conspiracy against Syria. At least the battle lines have been clearly drawn now, the liberal daily Financial Times Deutschland notes: » more

The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered what he had announced would be a historical speech on Wednesday. However instead of dealing with the state of emergency under which the country has been for 48 years he talked of a conspiracy against Syria. At least the battle lines have been clearly drawn now, the liberal daily Financial Times Deutschland notes: "Granted, the Syrian head of state never came across like a genuine democrat. The very fact that he would officially win 97 percent of the vote in elections without opponents sends a different message. But after the death of his father Hafez, Assad took over power with the promise that he would introduce economic and administrational reforms. ... Unlike the toppled potentates of Tunisia and Egypt, Assad showed no weakness [with his speech]. But whether intimidation alone can save him is questionable. For the opposition movement the following inglorious concept at least brings clarity to the situation: bringing change to Syria can only be achieved by moving against Assad, not with him."

The reforms in Syria must be supported by the EU and Turkey, urges Tarafa Baghajati, chairman of the Austrian Muslim Initiative, in a commentary for the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more

The reforms in Syria must be supported by the EU and Turkey, urges Tarafa Baghajati, chairman of the Austrian Muslim Initiative, in a commentary for the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "A non-violent solution must reform the existing system from the roots upwards. Religious agendas are not called for here, to say nothing of rigid pan-Arab ones. What is needed is a believable policy for all concerned. For that reason models such as that in Turkey enjoy sympathy in Syria. The important thing is that the EU and Turkey should both take a wise and helpful stance, keeping interference to a minimum. This vision is realistic and even essential for the president. But its implementation depends solely on the Syrian leadership. In any event, passing off justified demands as hostile foreign manoeuvring will no longer be tolerated."

A change of regime in Syria would destabilise the entire region, writes the conservative daily Berlingske, saying that this is the reason why the West is reluctant to see Syrian President Bashar al-Assad removed from office: » more

A change of regime in Syria would destabilise the entire region, writes the conservative daily Berlingske, saying that this is the reason why the West is reluctant to see Syrian President Bashar al-Assad removed from office: "Syria poses a far greater threat to the Middle East than Muammar al-Gaddafi who - everyone agrees - is brutal but also vulnerable because none of the neighbouring countries take him seriously. This is not the case with Assad. Not only does he lead the extremist Hizbollah in Lebanon, but also the radical Hamas in Gaza as well as a circle of radical Palestinians. ... There's also the fact that Assad's removal from office would trigger a series of conflicts similar to those its neighbour Iraq was forced to go through. The US doesn't want this. So we shouldn't count on the US or the EU stepping in to help with the removal of Assad."

Syria's government has resigned as a result of the ongoing protests against the regime. President Bashar al-Assad plans to explain his position on reforms today. The popular uprising has its roots in Syria's long tradition of such movements, which nowadays also enjoy the support of virtual networks, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more

Syria's government has resigned as a result of the ongoing protests against the regime. President Bashar al-Assad plans to explain his position on reforms today. The popular uprising has its roots in Syria's long tradition of such movements, which nowadays also enjoy the support of virtual networks, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "The ruling Baath party has known only too well how effective mass movements can be since it used such tactics itself back in the 1950s. They were the instrument by which it toppled one government after another and finally emerged as monopolising power, with Syria forming an alliance with Egypt in 1958. The opposition engraved the date on the tomb of Syria's democratic pluralism. ... But the rejoicing crowd highlighted how much the Baath party's influence on Syrian society has dwindled. ... A virtual universe is opening up to the blogger scene, infected as it is by the Arab revolts."

A change of regime in Damascus could unsettle the entire region, the left-liberal daily Le Monde fears in view of the resignation of the Syrian government, and calls on the US and Europe to persuade President Bashar al-Assad to adopt reforms: » more

A change of regime in Damascus could unsettle the entire region, the left-liberal daily Le Monde fears in view of the resignation of the Syrian government, and calls on the US and Europe to persuade President Bashar al-Assad to adopt reforms: "Americans and Europeans are waiting to see what happens. They don't know how to react to the Syrian rebellion. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called President al-Assad a 'reformer'. That remains to be seen. More understanding has been shown for the repression in Syria than for that of the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes. The Arab League has no intention of excluding Syria from its ranks, as it did with Libya. A clear line must be chosen. President al-Assad must be encouraged to choose the path of 'reform'."

Security forces in Syria have shot at demonstrators several times, killing at least 25 people since the start of the protests one week ago. The very brutality of the regime makes it unlikely that it will be toppled, as has happened in other Arab countries, the left-liberal daily Ta Nea writes: » more

Security forces in Syria have shot at demonstrators several times, killing at least 25 people since the start of the protests one week ago. The very brutality of the regime makes it unlikely that it will be toppled, as has happened in other Arab countries, the left-liberal daily Ta Nea writes: "The president of Syria may be more popular than other rulers in the Middle East but his power machinery is more brutal than those of [ex-presidents] Hosni Mubarak and Ben Ali. ... President Bashar al-Assad is trying to appease his opponents with gifts but he has ruled out swift reforms. This makes it clear that there is little hope of a peaceful change of government. ... The army and the police will never abandon the government as was the case in Egypt and Tunisia. A coup can therefore be ruled out, and the demonstrators know this. Moreover it's obvious that they are following the events in the Arab world on television. They see what is happening now in Libya and know that this is not the right time for a confrontation with the government."

The London conference on Tuesday came up with no concrete solutions to the crisis in Libya. In view of the historic rivalries between the western and eastern halves of the country, the daily Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace sees the division of the country as a possible solution, albeit one that would make the military intervention look like a fight for Libyan oil: » more

The London conference on Tuesday came up with no concrete solutions to the crisis in Libya. In view of the historic rivalries between the western and eastern halves of the country, the daily Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace sees the division of the country as a possible solution, albeit one that would make the military intervention look like a fight for Libyan oil: "A historic feud simmers between the Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. A division of the country into the west under the green flag and the east under democratic rule in Benghazi is not to be ruled out. ... This possibly pro-Western government would guarantee access to the country's oil reserves. Nevertheless a division would be tantamount to a political disaster vis-a-vis the Arab World. The intervention to save the Libyan civilian population would immediately be perceived as a war for oil."

The Libyan rebels encountered heavy resistance on Monday near Sirte, the birthplace of Muammar al-Gaddafi. The dictator won't give up so easily, the conservative paper Rzeczpospolita fears: » more

The Libyan rebels encountered heavy resistance on Monday near Sirte, the birthplace of Muammar al-Gaddafi. The dictator won't give up so easily, the conservative paper Rzeczpospolita fears: "Even if it is true that the fall of Sirte is equivalent to the fall of Tripoli, it still does not mean the fall of Gaddafi. He can still hold out for months in his bunker. Everything points to him fighting 'to the last man and woman', as he has said. The fate of the presidents who were toppled in Tunisia and Egypt will certainly not encourage him to lay down his arms. Especially because almost every day we hear that they will lose their wealth or that their families are awaiting trial. If this was the fate of Mubarak, what will happen with Gaddafi, who was all the more cruel to his people?"

The Libyan rebels are moving steadily westward. Now is the time for the international community to help the Libyans create new power structures, writes the left-liberal Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

The Libyan rebels are moving steadily westward. Now is the time for the international community to help the Libyans create new power structures, writes the left-liberal Süddeutsche Zeitung: "When the states of the world engage in a massive military intervention, they must also formulate their political interest in Libya's future. For the time being the rebels still lack a face. The future role of the tribes is uncertain. In abolishing existing structures the danger arises that the country's resources will be divided arbitrarily. Libya lacks a unifying figure and above all the inner cohesion that was never in doubt in Tunisia or Egypt. For that reason the UN special envoy should be given a key role at the London Conference in the search for a new Libyan order. Libya's Arab and African neighbours must be involved as well. And the rebel leadership must shed its anonymity and assume responsibility."

The London conference on the Libyan crisis will show how capable the international alliance is of holding together, writes the conservative daily The Times: » more

The London conference on the Libyan crisis will show how capable the international alliance is of holding together, writes the conservative daily The Times: "The purpose of the London summit will be to bring belated order to the travelling circus of confusion that has accompanied the operational command of the intervention so far. ... The mission in Libya has, so far, proceeded well. It cannot be undermined by a war of words and complaints that can easily be resolved with the standard charms of good diplomacy. If cracks in the coalition are appearing already, it does not augur well for the resilience of the alliance in the event, unfortunately more likely than not, that the mission faces a genuine test of resolve."

The Christian Democrats' election debacle in the German state of Baden-Württemberg is just retribution for Angela Merkel's policies in the eyes of the left-liberal daily La Repubblica, because they were dictated by the fear of losing votes: » more

The Christian Democrats' election debacle in the German state of Baden-Württemberg is just retribution for Angela Merkel's policies in the eyes of the left-liberal daily La Repubblica, because they were dictated by the fear of losing votes: "She was afraid to put her voters' egoism to the test by helping Greece and other debt-stricken states. She was afraid to follow France's suit in the fight against the Libyan ruler. She was afraid to give the EU a charismatic president and a distinguished foreign minister. She was afraid to set up a European defence and to draw up a common budget for Europe. And all this for the sake of the opinion polls. ... Now it's the very same public opinion that has sealed the fate of a chancellor who didn't want to give Germany the leading role it deserves in the EU and who has denied the continent the role it deserves in the world."

Nato takes over the full command of the military intervention in Libya today, Monday. The liberal conservative daily the Financial Times writes that finding a solution to the conflict requires more than just fighting: » more

Nato takes over the full command of the military intervention in Libya today, Monday. The liberal conservative daily the Financial Times writes that finding a solution to the conflict requires more than just fighting: "The best thing would be for Col Gaddafi's regime to implode. But if he finds ways to cling on through violence, a military conclusion to the conflict may be necessary. To achieve this, Nato and its allies should not shrink from giving more active military support to the opposition - respecting the UN authorisation of 'all necessary measures' to protect civilian-populated areas. Equally important is the political mission. Nato should swiftly identify and nurture a national opposition and plot the path for a post-conflict transition to democracy, probably under UN auspices. The only credible candidate is the interim national council based in Benghazi. Nato should ensure that this is not an eastern clique, but a body that represents all segments of the population."

After days of bickering the Nato states agreed on Thursday that the alliance will take over the task of leading the military operations against Gaddafi's troops in Libya from the US. Romania will contribute to the weapons embargo in the Mediterranean by providing a frigate. However unlike the military operations in Afghanistan the intervention in Libya is not a case which invokes the Nato mutual defence guarantee, the daily Evenimentul Zilei points out: » more

After days of bickering the Nato states agreed on Thursday that the alliance will take over the task of leading the military operations against Gaddafi's troops in Libya from the US. Romania will contribute to the weapons embargo in the Mediterranean by providing a frigate. However unlike the military operations in Afghanistan the intervention in Libya is not a case which invokes the Nato mutual defence guarantee, the daily Evenimentul Zilei points out: "Solidarity is clearly defined within Nato: Article 5 of the treaty states that if a country is attacked all the others will come to its defence. During the 50 years since Nato was founded this has never happened, and only once was the article symbolically invoked - when the Twin Towers collapsed in New York in 2001. This was because the drama in New York could be regarded as a direct declaration of war against the US. This is why all states acted in solidarity and Romania, too, acted in its own interest: after all, it will need Nato's solidarity should it ever come under attack. But with Libya this logic doesn't apply, and the fact that Obama's security adviser basically forced us to participate in the intervention this time round illustrates this."

Germany caused the lack of consensus within the EU regarding Libya by abstaining from the vote on a no-fly zone in the UN Security Council, writes British historian Timothy Garton Ash in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica, adding that such a stance makes a common European foreign policy impossible: » more

Germany caused the lack of consensus within the EU regarding Libya by abstaining from the vote on a no-fly zone in the UN Security Council, writes British historian Timothy Garton Ash in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica, adding that such a stance makes a common European foreign policy impossible: "While French and British pilots risk their lives in action, the German foreign minister is virtually encouraging the Arab League to make further criticism. A word that springs unbidden to my mind is Dolchstoss (stab in the back). There are several reasons for this German attitude. Westerwelle is one of the weakest foreign ministers Germany has had for a long time. As the leader of the Free Democrats (Germany's Lib Dems), he is running scared of some important provincial elections - as is Angela Merkel. Having gingerly advanced in the 1990s towards taking broader international responsibilities, including military ones, German opinion seems to have sunk back into an attitude of 'leave us alone'. ... Even if you think the German approach to the specific question of the no-fly zone was right, and France's wrong, you must acknowledge that these divisions make a mockery of Europe's pretensions to have a foreign policy."

Security forces in Syria have shot at demonstrators several times, killing at least 25 people since the start of the protests one week ago. The very brutality of the regime makes it unlikely that it will be toppled, as has happened in other Arab countries, the left-liberal daily Ta Nea writes: » more

Security forces in Syria have shot at demonstrators several times, killing at least 25 people since the start of the protests one week ago. The very brutality of the regime makes it unlikely that it will be toppled, as has happened in other Arab countries, the left-liberal daily Ta Nea writes: "The president of Syria may be more popular than other rulers in the Middle East but his power machinery is more brutal than those of [ex-presidents] Hosni Mubarak and Ben Ali. ... President Bashar al-Assad is trying to appease his opponents with gifts but he has ruled out swift reforms. This makes it clear that there is little hope of a peaceful change of government. ... The army and the police will never abandon the government as was the case in Egypt and Tunisia. A coup can therefore be ruled out, and the demonstrators know this. Moreover it's obvious that they are following the events in the Arab world on television. They see what is happening now in Libya and know that this is not the right time for a confrontation with the government."

Five days after the military strikes in Libya began the international alliance says it has destroyed the country's air force. But the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi still has enough means at his disposal to ensure the war continues, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more

Five days after the military strikes in Libya began the international alliance says it has destroyed the country's air force. But the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi still has enough means at his disposal to ensure the war continues, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "With a mix of military force, propaganda and intimidation Gaddafi has enough instruments to wage a long war of attrition. The long-term regent can also clock up as a success the fact that for some time now no further allies of the regime or the military apparatus have abandoned him to join the rebels. Gaddafi also has enough money to continue buying loyalty and keep the war machinery running. According to the International Monetary Fund, the Central Bank and investment authority had 160 billion dollars in their coffers at the end of last year. A large part of that is still in the country, and as the Financial Times reported the stash reportedly includes 140 tonnes of gold."

Roughly 6,000 refugees from North Africa, primarily Tunisia, are currently on the small Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Europe is paying the price for having based its strategy for illegal immigrants above all on agreements with the Libyan dictator Gaddafi, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

Roughly 6,000 refugees from North Africa, primarily Tunisia, are currently on the small Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Europe is paying the price for having based its strategy for illegal immigrants above all on agreements with the Libyan dictator Gaddafi, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "If Gaddafi falls, no one knows when a new state order will be established in Libya or whether it will be able to negotiate border controls. If the addled dictator clings on to power, he will probably keep his word and open his harbours to migrants fleeing towards Europe. The scale of what can be expected is demonstrated by the 15,000 refugees who have arrived from comparatively small Tunisia - with a population of just ten million - in the past three months alone. The first boats from Egypt have already landed in Italy. The extent of what can be expected is revealed by the statements of Interior Minister Roberto Maroni. He has obliged the regions to be ready to take in up to 50,000 migrants. ... All of Europe must prepare for a new wave of immigration."

The EU heads of state and government will finalise plans for securing the euro - the so-called European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) - in Brussels today. The conservative daily Lidové noviny points out how much scepticism the plans of Germany and France met with right from the outset and how much friction there is between the two countries at present: » more

The EU heads of state and government will finalise plans for securing the euro - the so-called European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) - in Brussels today. The conservative daily Lidové noviny points out how much scepticism the plans of Germany and France met with right from the outset and how much friction there is between the two countries at present: "Nine of the seventeen Eurozone countries want nothing to do with plans for tax harmonisation or a standardised retirement age. What remains after the revision is a collection of general recommendations. The past few days have done much to damage the Franco-German team. Paris is annoyed about Germany's nuclear hysterics. Berlin is concerned about the activities of French fighter jets in Libya. Both these things demonstrate what different interests the two countries, which are basically trying to achieve political union, are pursuing in strategic areas like energy and foreign policy."

On Tuesday the Spanish Congress gave its approval for military intervention in Libya. Lluís Bassets writes in his blog Del Afiler al Elefante that this was the best decision of all the bad decisions that could have been made: » more

On Tuesday the Spanish Congress gave its approval for military intervention in Libya. Lluís Bassets writes in his blog Del Afiler al Elefante that this was the best decision of all the bad decisions that could have been made: "War can be the lesser evil but only when it is a just war. If it is unjust then it can only be the greatest evil. Those who don't want to choose this lesser evil are also making a decision: the greater evil gains the upper hand because of their passivity, their indifference or their cynicism. War is this too: an obligation to make a choice which no one can evade. The greater evil would have been to do nothing. Gaddafi would be shooting and torturing people in Benghazi today, he would have the whole country under his control again and he would go on with the blackmailing which has made him the master of the Mediterranean mafia: using petrol, immigration and terrorism to buy recognition and respectability at the expense of his people, impoverished and brutalised by his dictatorship."

The air strikes won't decide the war in Libya, writes political scientist Hasni Abidi in a commentary for the daily Le Temps, saying that more important is what further goals the West is pursuing: » more

The air strikes won't decide the war in Libya, writes political scientist Hasni Abidi in a commentary for the daily Le Temps, saying that more important is what further goals the West is pursuing: "We can't put all our faith in the targeted air strikes - the 'surgical' measures as they have been called in the past. ... But even the operations in Afghanistan and its obvious failure don't seem to have dispelled this illusion yet. ... Is the intervention's only goal to protect civilians against revenge attacks or is it aimed at a change of government? Who will help to build up a new state is this far away country where the regional powers and tribal identity are so strong and national feeling so weak?"

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has contradicted Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for the first time on an important foreign policy issue by rejecting Putin's use of the word "crusade" in referring to the intervention in Libya. The leftist daily Právo suspects that elections tactics are playing a role here: » more

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has contradicted Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for the first time on an important foreign policy issue by rejecting Putin's use of the word "crusade" in referring to the intervention in Libya. The leftist daily Právo suspects that elections tactics are playing a role here: "We are witnesses of the biggest confrontation to date between the tandem that leads the Russian Federation. And this is not a little detail which is only of interest for experts. Russia is about to hold parliamentary elections and in March 2012 a new head of state will be elected - a decisive moment in this presidential republic. ... Russia is no longer the state where everyone is happy because the sale of oil and gas guarantees economic growth. Putin is starting to go out of fashion. But the people who would like to bet on Medvedev, including the rich entrepreneurs with ties to the West, are not yet sure that he is competent enough. ... If Medvedev wanted to signal that he is serious about his candidacy for president this would give the West hope. But the majority of Russians must want this too."

A conflict has broken out in the international coalition against Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi over whether Nato should take charge. Britain backs this step while France opposes it. One reason is that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has taken over the role of hip-shooter from former US president Bush, writes the left-liberal daily Berliner Zeitung: » more

A conflict has broken out in the international coalition against Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi over whether Nato should take charge. Britain backs this step while France opposes it. One reason is that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has taken over the role of hip-shooter from former US president Bush, writes the left-liberal daily Berliner Zeitung: "His desire to take the limelight and the French tendency to found politics in morality have deepened today's controversies. His partners, in turn, let Sarkozy call the shots instead of clearly stating their reservations about military intervention in North Africa from the start. Neither the Europeans nor Nato took the time to weigh up the pros and cons, although Gaddafi's brutal suppression of the uprising has appalled the world since February. ... The multi-polar world - desired by many, accepted by Obama and used by Sarkozy to serve his own interests can be trying indeed."

The military intervention against the Libyan dictator is turning into a full-blown war with all the bitter consequences that entails, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more

The military intervention against the Libyan dictator is turning into a full-blown war with all the bitter consequences that entails, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "The high-flying hawks in Paris and London 'forgot' to explain to their citizens at the start of the operation that hackneyed moralism and war can seldom be combined without contradiction. Humanitarian interventions ... have their price, one that politicians and citizens alike must be ready to pay. Recent history teaches us that military campaigns are rarely quick, efficient and without their setbacks. Nato paid dearly for this knowledge in the Balkans, as did the Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even today international troops are still stationed in Bosnia and Kosovo, to say nothing of the Tigris and the Hindu Kush. History repeats itself, people say. First as a tragedy, and then as a farce. It's too early to say what direction Libya will take. But even now it is clear that the ability to learn and a knowledge of history are overrated political categories."

Many Western politicians think Libya's dictator Gaddafi is crazy, Manuel Catarino writes in the tabloid Correio da Manhã, analysing Gaddafi's relations with a world that is dependent on Libya's oil reserves: » more

Many Western politicians think Libya's dictator Gaddafi is crazy, Manuel Catarino writes in the tabloid Correio da Manhã, analysing Gaddafi's relations with a world that is dependent on Libya's oil reserves: "In the 1970s he published the Green Book, a sort of political philosophy of his regime. ... He lived on the country's oil, inspired and financed terrorism - and contracted the attack on a Pan Am jet. Then Libya's ruler saw he would do better to set aside the Green Book and dispense with anti-imperialist policy if he wanted to survive. So he befriended his enemies, forming alliances with Bush, Blair, Brown, Sarkozy, Berlusconi, Merkel - in a magic, oil-driven interest carousel, selling the oil that the West needed so badly. The 'powerful of the world' continued to view him as madman, but one who takes his medicine. They put up with him and forgave him his extravagant behaviour. As the dictatorial strongholds started to fall in Northern Africa, they saw their last chance to get rid of him. ... But defending the civil population is merely a matter of form. The real issue once again is oil."

The UN resolution on Libya is in principle right, the daily Dagens Nyheter writes, adding that it is in the nature of war that there can be no telling what the repercussions will be: » more

The UN resolution on Libya is in principle right, the daily Dagens Nyheter writes, adding that it is in the nature of war that there can be no telling what the repercussions will be: "No war goes as planned, and plenty can go wrong even once it's over. The experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan have demonstrated this. In addition there's no guarantee that the good intentions will bring good results. That being the case some would say that you should never take up arms, but that would have been a death sentence for thousands of Libyans. The decision to intervene in Libya was necessary. But what the next decisions will look like is impossible to say. The UN mandate will remain in effect for as long as it takes. Whether they topple Gaddafi falls is up to the Libyans. But they must receive protection and help."

Since the air strikes against Libya began the allies have been at odds about how the intervention should be continued. The liberal daily Aamulehti bemoans the lack of a clear strategy, which it says must be a prerequisite for Finnish involvement: » more

Since the air strikes against Libya began the allies have been at odds about how the intervention should be continued. The liberal daily Aamulehti bemoans the lack of a clear strategy, which it says must be a prerequisite for Finnish involvement: "After the initial success it is now unclear what will happen next. Is the ultimate goal the complete deposition of Gaddafi's government or is the rest of the world content to see Libya split in two, with Gaddafi and his buddies ruling the west of the country and the rebels in control of the east? The dissension about goals within the alliance is only compounding this lack of clarity. ... A roadmap needs to be quickly charted out for the Libya operation in which the allies lay down common and realistic goals and acceptable means for achieving them, as well as a timetable. Without such a roadmap Finland can't even begin to consider joining the alliance's operation, should we be asked to do so."

In the first round of the French cantonal elections all the conservative parties together obtained 32 percent of the vote, but this still can't conceal the paltry 17 percent garnered by President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP party, the online paper Europa quotidiano comments. The boost Sarkozy had hoped military intervention in Libya would give him in elections failed to materialise: » more

In the first round of the French cantonal elections all the conservative parties together obtained 32 percent of the vote, but this still can't conceal the paltry 17 percent garnered by President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP party, the online paper Europa quotidiano comments. The boost Sarkozy had hoped military intervention in Libya would give him in elections failed to materialise: "It is unnecessary to quote the generous oil contracts of the [French crude oil company] Total or Gaz de France's deals to understand why Nicolas Sarkozy has plunged headlong into the Libyan conflict. All you need do is look at the results of the cantonal elections. Interior Minister Claude Guéant speaks of 32 percent for the Conservatives by including every single right-wing group available - local parties, local movements, anything that could be used to convince public opinion that the party is in good shape. It is becoming increasingly clear that Sarkozy urgently needs to improve in the polls to run as a candidate for his own re-election in the 2012 presidential elections. As it's obviously too late for a political strategy he's obviously prepared to resort to any means available."

The military intervention set up to establish a no-fly zone over Libya is based on a decision by the UN Security Council. But now Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is labelling it a crusade, while the Arab League also voices its protest. The conservative daily Lidové finds this strange: » more

The military intervention set up to establish a no-fly zone over Libya is based on a decision by the UN Security Council. But now Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is labelling it a crusade, while the Arab League also voices its protest. The conservative daily Lidové finds this strange: "Everyone wanted the war - or did they? Russia did not block the no-fly zone in the UN. The Arab League called for its establishment on March 12. But now it's secretary-general is saying it had envisaged the intervention merely as protection for the civil population, and that no one wanted bombs. Then what did they want? Threats against Gaddafi and then trust in his word of honour? What that looks like became clear last weekend - with his attacks against the rebels."

The political leaders of the West started their military action without a clear concept for how to bring peace, writes Jacques Attali in his blog with the weekly L'Express: » more

The political leaders of the West started their military action without a clear concept for how to bring peace, writes Jacques Attali in his blog with the weekly L'Express: "Are they ready to address the question of peace? History teaches us that a war can only be won when peace has been prepared during the fighting. ... Do we have the first inkling about what will become of Libya after the war? A unified country? A federation? Will we see Cyrenaica [in eastern Libya] become independent and then retain its independence thanks only to the presence of foreign troops? And even if the dictator is ousted, will the liberating forces have the means to reconstruct the country? It's difficult to believe when you look at how little aid they are sending to Egypt and Tunisia."

The military intervention in Libya must never fail to make clear that it is meant to support the democracy movement in the Arab World, writes the conservative daily ABC: » more

The military intervention in Libya must never fail to make clear that it is meant to support the democracy movement in the Arab World, writes the conservative daily ABC: "Systems that have for decades been corrupted by totalitarianism will not give up their old ways overnight. And other powers that are just as adverse to freedom will not just disappear. For that reason it is important that the West's military operation in Libya should be clearly defined as giving support to democrats in the entire Arab World. Governments in the region that support the military intervention, like Morocco, must know that this doesn't free them from the obligation to comply with the desire for openness in their own societies."

The war against Libyan head of state Muammar al-Gaddafi is justified despite all the criticism, writes the conservative daily Berlingske: » more

The war against Libyan head of state Muammar al-Gaddafi is justified despite all the criticism, writes the conservative daily Berlingske: "In Libya's case it had got to the point where it was impossible not to take action against the brutal behaviour of the dictator Gaddafi towards rebels and the civilian population. ... Two relevant points have been made in criticising the war against the Libyan regime: on the one had the operation lacks an exit strategy. ... No one knows how the intervention against Libya will end or what exactly the criterion for success is. ... On the other hand the attack against Gaddafi raises the question of how the world community should react to other Arab countries where regimes take a harsh line against the people. Bahrain is a good current example. The concerns are justified. But they must no longer overshadow the need for military intervention. The war against Gaddafi is right."

In view of the intervention in Libya by the US and other states, the daily Delo points to the suppression of democracy movements in other Arab countries and criticises the double standard of the United States: » more

In view of the intervention in Libya by the US and other states, the daily Delo points to the suppression of democracy movements in other Arab countries and criticises the double standard of the United States: "Days ago US President Obama condemned the violence against civilians in the entire Middle East. But no one's getting hot in the collar about the despots in allied Bahrain - where the US Fifth Fleet is based - or in Yemen, a firm ally of Washington against global terrorism. It doesn't seem to bother anyone that the army of the worst dictatorship in the region, namely Saudi Arabia, has marched into a neighbouring country - very much in the style of the erstwhile Soviet escapade in Afghanistan. The people in Libya deserve more freedom. But the 'global justice fanatics' must also seek the same for those who continue to suffer under even more repressive dictators who are supposedly our friends."

Establishing a no-fly zone was the very least that could be expected of the international community, the left-liberal daily El Periódico de Catalunya writes with relief: » more

Establishing a no-fly zone was the very least that could be expected of the international community, the left-liberal daily El Periódico de Catalunya writes with relief: "The resolution passed yesterday evening by the UN Security Council has put an end to the feeling that the Japan tragedy was overshadowing the killing in Libya, and that Colonel Gaddafi would be able to quash the opposition, right down to the last rebel, with shameful impunity. The approved text authorises the international community to neutralise any attempt by the Libyan dictator to continue bombing from the air and at the same time obliges it to take all necessary measures short of an occupation force to defend the civilian population. This is the least that could be expected of the major powers in stopping the carnage, especially after even the Arab League asked the UN to declare a no-fly zone."

The Sunni regime in Bahrain is resorting to violence against the predominantly Shiite demonstrators. The liberal daily Expressen warns that the protesters in the country should not be abandoned to their fate, because then it would look like the West supports those dictatorships it finds useful: » more

The Sunni regime in Bahrain is resorting to violence against the predominantly Shiite demonstrators. The liberal daily Expressen warns that the protesters in the country should not be abandoned to their fate, because then it would look like the West supports those dictatorships it finds useful: "Bahrain has become a powder keg and the Western world has contributed to this. As long as support for the Arab democracy movements remains inconsistent it cannot be plausible. Muammar al-Gaddafi - and others who opposed a no-fly zone over Libya - could point to Bahrain and claim the Western world is pursuing interests beyond democracy. It's understandable that the citizens of Bahrain cannot be in the limelight when Japan is being rocked by a triple catastrophe and Gaddafi's troops are closing in on Benghazi. But this is no reason to abandon them. The EU and US can't re-establish their credibility in the Arab world during this revolutionary winter without demonstratively taking sides with the demonstrators."

The UN Security Council's decision in favour of a no-fly zone over Libya is good news but could have dangerous consequences, writes the daily De Standaard: » more

The UN Security Council's decision in favour of a no-fly zone over Libya is good news but could have dangerous consequences, writes the daily De Standaard: "Since the war in Iraq we have known that a war is unpredictable from day one. ... This is not an invasion, but the example of Kosovo showed in 1999, it could be a long time before the air strikes force the dictator to his knees - and in comparison with Gaddafi the late [president of Serbia] Slobodan Milošević was a very rational man. This could be a long war. Intervention in a civil war raises many questions. What do we do if - in the best case - Gaddafi's military offensive is successfully halted? Continue to fly over Libya? Arm the rebels? And what's Plan B if this fails and the no-fly zone doesn't deter Gaddafi and his army? Do we send in ground troops?"

The UN's belated go-ahead for a no-fly zone may have dire consequences, the conservative daily Die Welt writes, criticising Berlin in particular: » more

The UN's belated go-ahead for a no-fly zone may have dire consequences, the conservative daily Die Welt writes, criticising Berlin in particular: "Germany has disgraced itself by pulling the brakes on the Americans, the French and the British who were all more willing to take action. ... What will Merkel and Westerwelle do if Gaddafi remains in power? 'Normalise' relations with what has been exposed to the world as a murderous regime? Mockingly and with freshly resuscitated 'anti-imperialist' rhetoric, Gaddafi and his son Saif are already threatening revenge - and embarrassingly for Berlin have 'generously' exempted Germany from these tirades in their complacency. ... Above all the German position marks a relapse to the mindset of 1992 when driven by panic it and others shied away from early intervention in the Balkans. Later on they paid dearly for this omission with two massive military interventions."

The UN's decision in favour of a no-fly zone over Libya comes too late in the eyes of the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita, because dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi has long since regained control of the country: » more

The UN's decision in favour of a no-fly zone over Libya comes too late in the eyes of the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita, because dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi has long since regained control of the country: "Tomorrow or in a week there could be a bloodbath in [the rebel stronghold] Benghazi. And the West will have to think about why we didn't prevent another Rwanda or Bosnia. There will be shocking films and books about the revolution that was quashed by the dictator. This, unfortunately, is the most likely scenario for Libya. The revolutionaries who liberated the entire east of the country and many places in the west from Muammar al-Gaddafi's rule will lose in the end."

The methods of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi are working, the left-liberal daily De Standaard observes in resignation: » more

The methods of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi are working, the left-liberal daily De Standaard observes in resignation: "At any rate better than Ben Ali's model in Tunisia or the Mubarak model in Egypt - at least from the dictator's perspective. Anyone who is prepared to use boundless violence against his own people and can keep those around him under his control can withstand any rebellion. The rest of the world certainly won't do anything about it any time soon. ... We can do nothing but look on passively as the inevitable bloodbath unfolds. An intervention without a mandate and without adequate preparation is simply not an option. ... Dictators everywhere know what to do: buy everyone who can be bought for money and power and destroy the rest. There will be an outcry here and there, but nothing more."

Europe's hesitant stance on Libya is a vile ploy to gain time, writes the left-liberal La Repubblica indignantly: » more

Europe's hesitant stance on Libya is a vile ploy to gain time, writes the left-liberal La Repubblica indignantly: "Benghazi may already have fallen in recent hours, and then the international community will be able to point out with a sigh of relief that it's too late to intervene now. ... Europe is great at dealing with arms but when it comes to political intervention it suddenly becomes more pacifist than a Hindu monk. ... This is the same Europe that looked on while the people in Bosnia were massacred. ... The cloud of smoke over Sarajevo was visible to the naked eye, as the cloud of smoke over Benghazi is now. This smoke stands for Europe's truth. ... The shrill tones to be heard among all the different positions being voiced in Europe show that all that unites it is the intention to wash its hands of the business. ... Because time plays a crucial role for finding a solution, Europe is taking its time."

The advance of the Libyan government troops prompt the tabloid Aftonbladet to demand that the international community intervene: » more

The advance of the Libyan government troops prompt the tabloid Aftonbladet to demand that the international community intervene: "Gaddafi's tanks seem to be on their way to Benghazi and his troops will hardly be stopped by a United Nations decision. A no-fly zone is a challenge - also from a military point of view. The Libyan air force is strong and the regime won't respect a ban on using it. But none of these arguments suffice to justify the passivity of the international community. Sanctions can do nothing to stop the killing, and the pompous announcements that people will be defended against crimes against humanity just sound like more empty promises. Those who are fighting for freedom in Libya have the right to expect more from the international community."

The international community remains at odds over how to deal with Libya. That only plays into the hands of dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, writes the portal Delfi: » more

The international community remains at odds over how to deal with Libya. That only plays into the hands of dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, writes the portal Delfi: "Cynics believe people are playing for time on purpose to see which side gains the upper hand. But criticism of the UN or Nato would be just as scathing if they were to pass a drastic, hasty resolution whose implementation posed endless problems. Nevertheless one thing is clear: time is on Revolutionary Leader Gaddafi's side. Although the resolution worked out by the UK, France and Lebanon for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya and stricter sanctions against the regime has finally made it to the UN Security Council, the vote will take place Thursday at the earliest. ... But apart from the time factor such a resolution is pointless if it remains nothing more than a declaration. Implementing it, by contrast, would be a declaration of war on the official Libyan government - with all the consequences that entails."

In view of the success of the troops of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi in fighting the rebels in eastern Libya Denmark has declared its willingness to provide F-16 fighter jets in the event of military intervention in Libya. The EU as a whole should prepare for a no-fly zone and impose it even without UN approval if need be, the social-liberal daily Politiken demands: » more

In view of the success of the troops of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi in fighting the rebels in eastern Libya Denmark has declared its willingness to provide F-16 fighter jets in the event of military intervention in Libya. The EU as a whole should prepare for a no-fly zone and impose it even without UN approval if need be, the social-liberal daily Politiken demands: "Whether we have a UN mandate or not, the threats against Colonel Gaddafi's regime of terror hardly make sense if we don't get ready to send troops to prevent a potential bloodbath. We can't allow another massacre. ... If the Gaddafi regime sees that the global criticism goes no further than empty threats not only the people of eastern Libya will suffer but also people in many other countries where dictators will mow down anything that gets in their way - in the secure knowledge that the West will sit passively in front of the television."

While the troops of the Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi continue to advance eastwards the international community still hesitates to intervene. Time is running out, the leftist daily De Volkskrant warns: » more

While the troops of the Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi continue to advance eastwards the international community still hesitates to intervene. Time is running out, the leftist daily De Volkskrant warns: "It's understandable that the international community is reluctant to impose a no-fly zone. No matter which way you look at it, with this kind of intervention an escalation can't be ruled out. Because what would happen if the flying ban only had a limited impact and Gaddafi's troops resorted to other weapons of destruction? However the fighting has now reached a level where the risks of a military air operation seem increasingly small considering the negative repercussions of a wait-and-see policy. ... Two catastrophic scenarios are now looming: either Gaddafi regains his authority and eliminates the opposition. ... Or Libya splits in two, leaving the world with yet another failed state where civil war can break out at any time."

The Arab League has called on the UN Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to protect the civilian population from the airborne attacks of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi. The Libyan-British writer Alaa al Ameri supports this initiative in the left-liberal daily El País: » more

The Arab League has called on the UN Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to protect the civilian population from the airborne attacks of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi. The Libyan-British writer Alaa al Ameri supports this initiative in the left-liberal daily El País: "The rebels' demands for a no-fly zone over Libya should be met. Without access to Libya's airspace Gaddafi's regime won't be able to stock up on weapons and mercenaries, nor bomb liberated cities. ... The world should also stop referring to Gaddafi as 'the Libyan leader'. He is not the Libyan leader. All he is now is a warlord who is attacking freed cities all over the country and holding the inhabitants of Tripoli hostage. ... The people of Libya have shown that they are on the path to a major democratic revolution. The question now is: is the memory of our own fight for democracy fresh enough in our memories to compel us to help them to victory?"

By recognising the rebels' council in Libya and presenting plans for military intervention French President Nicolas Sarkozy is putting the cart before the horse, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more

By recognising the rebels' council in Libya and presenting plans for military intervention French President Nicolas Sarkozy is putting the cart before the horse, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "No doubt one major incentive for Sarkozy's action was to polish France's faded image in North Africa - and to get out of his own personal slump in domestic politics. The question of a military operation has dogged him for days now: at the start of the week he was still rejecting the idea of a no-fly zone on the grounds that the West 'couldn't afford another Afghanistan'. Now he seems to have changed his mind completely, and this all has a very improvised air to it. Quick decisions are sometimes necessary in times of war. But it would doubtless be better for the EU members to first agree on how to deal with this emergency before plans are made public. Providing the wrong kind of help can only work against the rebels."

Because French President Nicolas Sarkozy`s sudden change of tack in the Libya conflict comes across as a contrived and clumsy he won't achieve his goal, writes the left-liberal Tages-Anzeiger: » more

Because French President Nicolas Sarkozy`s sudden change of tack in the Libya conflict comes across as a contrived and clumsy he won't achieve his goal, writes the left-liberal Tages-Anzeiger: "His abrupt onslaught is no doubt aimed first and foremost at enhancing his country's dramatically shrunken geopolitical role. Of all the big Western countries France has cut the worst figure on the world stage in the past three months, seeming petty at times, and driven and abashed by its old double standards in the way it treats authoritarian rulers. ... Sarkozy is now busy trying to correct this image. France, which has always had a distorted and inflated notion of its international role, is desperate to get back on the world stage at this historic moment. With a solo performance - a spectacular and perhaps risky backwards somersault which certainly looks contrived and hypocritical."

Paris' recognition of the National Transitional Council of Libyan rebels is premature and only harms the EU, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: » more

Paris' recognition of the National Transitional Council of Libyan rebels is premature and only harms the EU, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "For years France was the European country with the closest ties to North Africa's autocratic regimes. In the past weeks this has led to repeated embarrassments as popular protests swept through the region like a whirlwind. Faced with this new situation Paris seems to have decided to take the bull by the horns. The French move is very unfortunate, above all because the situation in Libya is extremely confused. ... Once again it seems that while the French talk and talk about Europe, at the crucial moment they prefer to focus on raising their own profile. The heads of government of the European Union gather today to discuss events in Libya. France was also behind the meeting, but with this one-sided French initiative the conference has been rendered less efficient even before it gets started."

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has promised his people comprehensive democratic reforms in a televised address on Wednesday. The left-liberal daily El País is cautiously optimistic: » more

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has promised his people comprehensive democratic reforms in a televised address on Wednesday. The left-liberal daily El País is cautiously optimistic: "If Morocco is to be democratised, the monarch must renounce many of his special rights. It will be of little use if the candidate of the party with the most votes becomes prime minister and nominally acquires full powers if these additional powers have to coexist with the king's current power to dictate policy. ... Nonetheless, the reduction in his powers announced by Mohammed VI has the undeniable advantage of contrasting starkly with the blind encapsulation or violence with which many Arab leaders are confronting this unstoppable change. Morocco is notable for its closeness to Europe and its strong ties with the Old Continent. As well as offering a valuable reference for other North African states, its democratisation could markedly improve the relations between Rabat and the EU in general, and Spain in particular."

According to media reports Malta would be used as a military base in the event of Western intervention in Libya. The liberal daily The Malta Independent argues that this would not be to Malta's advantage: » more

According to media reports Malta would be used as a military base in the event of Western intervention in Libya. The liberal daily The Malta Independent argues that this would not be to Malta's advantage: "Clearly, these are heady times for media people, especially with worldwide thirst for news focusing on or originating from Malta. But the media must learn to walk first and run later. It is definitely not in Malta's interest that we become portrayed as the springboard from where anti-Libya attacks will take off. It is not in Malta's interest to take sides in the Libyan conflict, much though our sympathies lie with the downtrodden people who have been protesting. It is not in Malta's interest to be portrayed, once again, as the bulwark of the West standing up to the Muslim East or South: Malta is now a haven of peace where ... people can live in mutual tolerance and where even the peoples of the South can find the freedom, tolerance and mutual respect that so often does not exist in their home countries."

The international community must act as one against the Gaddafi regime, writes the liberal daily Dagens Nyheter, starting with the establishment of a no-fly zone: » more

The international community must act as one against the Gaddafi regime, writes the liberal daily Dagens Nyheter, starting with the establishment of a no-fly zone: "The best thing would be for the Libyans themselves to bring down Gaddafi, and for that they must receive the necessary international support. But the question remains what the world would do if the rebellion proves unable to defeat Gaddafi. In the days to come several meetings will take place on EU and Nato levels. They are aimed at working a course of action that will meet with the approval of the Arab World. Maximum pressure must be applied to the dictator. Gaddafi's followers must face the choice: either they clear the field or they face international isolation. Hopefully they will identify the right course of action."

There is a lack of consensus on the UN Security Council about military intervention in Libya. Interference would have a detrimental effect, writes political scientist Tom Sauer in the daily De Standaard: » more

There is a lack of consensus on the UN Security Council about military intervention in Libya. Interference would have a detrimental effect, writes political scientist Tom Sauer in the daily De Standaard: "It is not Russia or China that are the biggest proponents of such intervention. It is the US and Great Britain together with their allies. Did we not learn our lesson in Afghanistan and Iraq, not to mention Vietnam? Admittedly, part of the Libyan opposition wants this kind of aid. But the other part obviously doesn't. ... Is it the task of the West to install governments that are well-disposed towards us all over the world? The attempt to impose something from outside is not easy and generally has the opposite effect. ... It's up to the Libyans to take over the reins. As soon as Gaddafi has been ousted the international community can move in and help the country with non-military means such as economic aid and help constructing a functioning democracy."

Now that the conflict in Libya has broadened into a civil war an intervention by the West is increasingly difficult, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung, commenting that intervening on behalf of the rebels would mean supporting a warring faction: » more

Now that the conflict in Libya has broadened into a civil war an intervention by the West is increasingly difficult, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung, commenting that intervening on behalf of the rebels would mean supporting a warring faction: "The peaceful demonstrators slaughtered by Gaddafi's troops are a thing of the past. Should a no-fly zone be imposed so as to keep Gaddafi's air force grounded and let the rebels march on Sirt and Tripoli under international protection? That would mean effectively taking sides with one party in a civil war, a side about which no more is known than that it is against Gaddafi. It will take considerable time before we can make a sound assessment of this new partner, and the same holds for what it would do if it manages to bring more than just a part of the country under its control. ... The noble slogans of a new era supposedly based on a respect for rights are easy to chant, but not so easy to put into practice."

The international community must support the rebels in Libya with every means at its disposal, Lluís Bassets writes in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, comparing the Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi with the Iraqi Saddam Hussein: » more

The international community must support the rebels in Libya with every means at its disposal, Lluís Bassets writes in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, comparing the Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi with the Iraqi Saddam Hussein: "Both are tyrants, but the international community has treated them very differently. An illegal and unjust war was fought against Saddam. Currently a very just war is being waged against Gaddafi: that of the Libyan people for its freedom. In the meantime those who were only recently friends and business partners of the dictator are watching to see how their former ally will react. They observe the events with horror, but from a distance. It goes without saying that 'No' was the right answer to Bush's war, and the same goes for Gaddafi's war against his people. But we must give a clear 'Yes' and all possible support for the war the Libyan people is now waging against the dictator who oppresses them."

Eleven people were killed on Tuesday night in clashes between Muslims and Christians in the Cairo suburb of Mokattam. The conflict was sparked by a liaison between a Muslim girl and a Coptic Christian. According to the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore, this is proof of the problems Islamic societies have recognising the rights of individuals: » more

Eleven people were killed on Tuesday night in clashes between Muslims and Christians in the Cairo suburb of Mokattam. The conflict was sparked by a liaison between a Muslim girl and a Coptic Christian. According to the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore, this is proof of the problems Islamic societies have recognising the rights of individuals: "In its current attempts at democratisation Islam will have no choice but to deal with subjects that are constitutive to democracy, such as the rights of the individual and religious freedom. The countries in revolt won't be able to resolve the question of democracy with voting rights, an electoral system and a changeover of power alone. These are a part of democracy which must be filled with content. It is vital that the rights of the individual are recognised. ... As long as these countries are not prepared to recognise the individual, the boundary to intolerance and violence will be easily overstepped."

Imposing a no-fly zone over Libya could prevent airborne attacks on the Libyan population and oil terminals, but it would also mean war, writes the liberal business paper Financial Times Deutschland: » more

Imposing a no-fly zone over Libya could prevent airborne attacks on the Libyan population and oil terminals, but it would also mean war, writes the liberal business paper Financial Times Deutschland: "Establishing a no-fly zone over a country where an all-too determined dictator has a large air force and a bountiful arsenal of surface to air missiles means war. And going by what we see today, such a war would be fought by the West alone. Neither the Arab League nor Russia nor China would take part. But for the US and the Europeans that would mean putting themselves in an even more difficult situation than they face in Afghanistan. The only thing the two deployments would have in common is that they won't end the conflict. Libya could easily become another long-term mission, above all if the country is divided."

The international community cannot intervene militarily in Libya because it lacks the international legal basis to do so, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more

The international community cannot intervene militarily in Libya because it lacks the international legal basis to do so, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "Foreign intervention in a civil war is only legally justified ... on the request of and in support of the 'government'. Of course this is unthinkable when the government in question is fighting to repress the legitimate demands of the people. ... And the reverse argument - international intervention in support of the rebels is justified when the government is no longer considered lawful - is still not universally valid. As always in such cases the international community is forced to conclude that its framework of international law is still inadequate for tackling moral questions. ... And yet precisely now it is so important to confirm that the rights of freedom and dignity are not the sole reserve of the West. Failing that, a vacuum could open up in Libya and elsewhere for those peddling their own 'values'."

The current sanctions against the Gaddafi regime are inadequate, writes the news portal Delfi and examines the question of Nato intervention under certain conditions: » more

The current sanctions against the Gaddafi regime are inadequate, writes the news portal Delfi and examines the question of Nato intervention under certain conditions: "If Libya is plunged into an all-out civil war between Gaddafi's opponents and supporters. Basically the civil war has already begun if Gaddafi refuses to go, his armed forces defend Tripoli and the country threatens to split in two. This danger is real and could swell the stream of refugees. … In the West they're already paving the way for the propagandistic justification of potential military intervention, even if the Nato states are divided on the issue. While the US and the UK haven't it ruled out, Turkey and France are against it. Nato is planning peace-keeping measures and other initiatives beyond its borders as part of its new strategy. Whether we like it or not we too would be involved."

The troops of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi continue to use violence against the protesters in the country. The international community cannot remain inactive even if it doesn't resort to military intervention, the left-liberal daily El País writes: » more

The troops of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi continue to use violence against the protesters in the country. The international community cannot remain inactive even if it doesn't resort to military intervention, the left-liberal daily El País writes: "The oppressor who has ruled Libya since 1969 is employing a military machinery against the people that he has been able to maintain thanks to the revenues from oil. These revenues continue to flow into the pockets of Africa's most long-reigning dictator. ... Open military intervention may not be possible right now because it would rob the popular uprising of its legitimacy and compromise the political future of the country, but this does not justify a passive stance. ... The Libyan National Council founded by the opposing forces must be recognised as quickly as possible, to allow it to govern effectively the cities it now controls."

The role of women in the protest movements in the Arab World has received too little attention up to now, writes the author and political activist Naomi Wolf in a commentary for the daily Delo: » more

The role of women in the protest movements in the Arab World has received too little attention up to now, writes the author and political activist Naomi Wolf in a commentary for the daily Delo: "This time women were not serving only as support workers, the habitual role to which they are relegated in protest movements, from those of the 1960's to the recent student riots in the United Kingdom. Egyptian women also organized, strategized, and reported the events. Bloggers ... took grave risks to keep the world informed daily of the scene in Tahrir Square and elsewhere. The role of women in the great upheaval in the Middle East has been woefully under-analyzed. Women in Egypt did not just 'join' the protests - they were a leading force behind the cultural evolution that made the protests inevitable. And what is true for Egypt is true, to a greater and lesser extent, throughout the Arab world. When women change, everything changes, and women in the Muslim world are changing radically."

Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq resigned from office on Thursday in response to the ongoing protests of the democracy movement in the country. This is a victory for this young people's protest movement, which according to the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino continues to fight for its dream of a democratic society: » more

Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq resigned from office on Thursday in response to the ongoing protests of the democracy movement in the country. This is a victory for this young people's protest movement, which according to the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino continues to fight for its dream of a democratic society: "Despite the exultation that is part and parcel of any revolt these young people are demonstrating an admirable sense of reality. They know that it will take years, perhaps even several generations, before their dream is fulfilled. Too heavily does the burden of centuries of absolute monarchist rule, of military dictatorships and theocracies weigh on Egyptian society. They know, too, that their dream is in danger of being destroyed if the old regime strikes back, if the military turns autocratic or if there is an Islamic revolution. ... The young people are showing farsightedness in the knowledge that they have already achieved great things, and also that the real challenge has only just begun."

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates expressed reservations on Thursday about the possibility of an international military deployment in Libya. The liberal-conservative daily Die Presse can understand why: » more

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates expressed reservations on Thursday about the possibility of an international military deployment in Libya. The liberal-conservative daily Die Presse can understand why: "Certainly, the US military should be prepared for all eventualities. Nevertheless Gates has no plans to have the US army occupy, pacify and administer a large country in the near future. Any further US military deployments will no doubt take the form of airborne or maritime missions - in Asia, the Persian Gulf or wherever. Hawks in the US are already accusing the Secretary of encouraging 'rogue states' with his reticence, as they will no longer fear an American ground offensive. But presumably these critics don't know the facts - or don't want to know them. These tell us: the US can simply no longer afford land wars or the overextension of its military capacities. Gates has had to eat humble pie and accept that, and his critics will have to do the same."

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero visited Tunisia on Wednesday, the first EU leader to do so since the fall of the old regime. The daily Le Monde welcomes the move: » more

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero visited Tunisia on Wednesday, the first EU leader to do so since the fall of the old regime. The daily Le Monde welcomes the move: "We must thank Mr Zapatero in the name of Europe. He has filled a vacuum. France [President Sarkozy] welcomed the 'progression of liberty' [in 2008] in Ben Ali's Tunisia, so one can understand that it wasn't the first to celebrate the dawning of a new era on the southern banks of the Mediterranean. ... Without wanting to play the spoilsport, one can't help feeling that Europe is not doing its best not to miss out on the historic moment unfolding to the south which concerns it immediately. ... One would have hoped Europe would demonstrate political solidarity in keeping with the momentousness of the occasion. We are still awaiting a gesture that will mark the shared destiny of Europe and this so very close Orient."

The Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi is a welcome enemy for the West, writes the daily Delo, because he diverts attention from friendly dictators: » more

The Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi is a welcome enemy for the West, writes the daily Delo, because he diverts attention from friendly dictators: "The political unrest in Libya, whose ruler Gaddafi was never a friend of the US, came right on cue. The world's attention is now riveted on its new arch-enemy. No one thinks about Tunisia any more, where it all began, or about Egypt which seems to be in the process of introducing democracy, or about Bahrain either, which as a friendly regime harbours the United States' Fifth Fleet. With the help of the US the leaders there are discretely distributing a few democratic carrots among their subjects while continuing to wave a stick above their heads. In fact it's tragic that with their uprising against the autocrat Gaddafi, the Libyans have done a disservice to their Arab brothers."

The violence of the Libyan regime against demonstrators poses a dilemma for the rest of the world, writes the daily Eesti Päevaleht: » more

The violence of the Libyan regime against demonstrators poses a dilemma for the rest of the world, writes the daily Eesti Päevaleht: "If, for example, the US intervenes to help the insurgents Gaddafi's supporters can cast themselves as Libyan patriots. The Arabs' aversion to the superior stance of the Europeans and Americans has been well-known since colonial times, and if Nato interferes in the affairs of other Arab countries this could lead to government opponents being portrayed as lackeys of the US. Any kind of intervention would be more legitimate if it enjoyed broad international support, at best with the participation of Muslim countries like Turkey and under UN leadership. But by the time such consensus is reached the rebellion in Libya may already have been quelled. Moreover, any military intervention must have a clear goal: the world can still recall the hasty retreat from Lebanon and Somalia. ... For the future of the country it would be best if the Libyans were able to oust their dictator themselves."

The UN Human Rights Council may have expulsed Libya on Tuesday but it is still dominated by dictatorships, the conservative daily Svenska Dagbladet complains, expressing relief that Sweden is not a member of the body: » more

The UN Human Rights Council may have expulsed Libya on Tuesday but it is still dominated by dictatorships, the conservative daily Svenska Dagbladet complains, expressing relief that Sweden is not a member of the body: "It wouldn't make any difference. It's not as if Swedish membership would displace a dictatorship. The member states are elected on a regional basis - Sweden would just replace another Western country. In addition it's unlikely that Sweden could talk China or Uganda into listening to their consciences. On the contrary, repressive states would use Sweden's membership as a democratic seal of approval to legitimise their crimes. So there's no point whatsoever in belonging to the organisation."

Numerous foreign ministers were preoccupied with the situation in Libya at Monday's meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the liberal weekly Respekt notes: » more

Numerous foreign ministers were preoccupied with the situation in Libya at Monday's meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the liberal weekly Respekt notes: "The dictator's struggle to cling to power in the face of the revolution against him has driven Libya to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. While the rich West deployed airplanes to quickly evacuate its citizens thousands of refugees who had left their own poor countries to work in oil-rich Libya are gathering at the country's borders. Foreign ministers from across the world are now seeking a way to prevent the disaster from spreading. But it's doubtful that they'll find a solution. Gaddafi's seat may be wobbling but it is still supported by many barrels of oil which the energy-poor West depends on."

The US and Europe are considering establishing a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent air attacks by the Libyan military. But such a move would be going too far, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

The US and Europe are considering establishing a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent air attacks by the Libyan military. But such a move would be going too far, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "That would require a mandate from the UN Security Council allowing the use of force. China at the very least will object to such an unprecedentedly robust mandate. ... After all, this is a decision with political consequences. With a mandate for an air mission the question of power would be transferred abroad. But those who join in will not be able to wriggle out again should Gaddafi resist over weeks or even months, or in the event of a guerilla war. Then pressure would also mount to deploy ground forces. For the Arab rebellion movement this would provide proof that they can't depend on the benevolent neutrality of the West after all. Suddenly the West would be the third undesired party in what has until now been a clearly structured duel: those at the bottom against those at the top."

Within a matter of days the UN Human Rights Council has unanimously condemned the violence of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi against the population, and recommended that Libya be suspended as a member. The daily Le Temps is delighted: » more

Within a matter of days the UN Human Rights Council has unanimously condemned the violence of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi against the population, and recommended that Libya be suspended as a member. The daily Le Temps is delighted: "Never has the UN's central human rights body been so credible or spoken so unanimously. The result is impressive. Within just a few days it has worked wonders, put its worst blunders behind it and silenced those conservative defenders of national sovereignty who have never stopped criticising it. The Arab Spring has now sprung in the Human Rights Council ... whose internal fronts seem to being crumbling away."

Malta has rushed to give generous help in view of all the foreigners fleeing Libya, the liberal-conservative Times of Malta notes: » more

Malta has rushed to give generous help in view of all the foreigners fleeing Libya, the liberal-conservative Times of Malta notes: "Malta's prompt and effective humanitarian response in the wake of the exodus of foreigners living or working in Libya, due to the crisis there, is further proof of how this country is always ready to heartily and effectively offer a coordinated helping hand to people in dire situations, whoever they may be and wherever they come from. The evidence confirms, whether in the events still unfolding but also in the past, Malta's commitment to put its skills and strengths to ever greater use to serve as a bridge of solidarity and understanding between peoples and cultures, particularly those surrounding the Mediterranean."

According to newspaper reports, the US is considering military intervention in Libya if the country's leader Muammar al-Gaddafi continues to use violence against his own people. But the diplomatic options have not yet been exhausted, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: » more

According to newspaper reports, the US is considering military intervention in Libya if the country's leader Muammar al-Gaddafi continues to use violence against his own people. But the diplomatic options have not yet been exhausted, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: "The EU still has many possibilities for toughening its measures against Libya and other North African states before reaching the point at which military intervention becomes necessary. This would require more authorisations from the UN. Even imposing a no-fly zone over Libya would already be a highly demanding military manoeuvre. Nato's resources would certainly suffice for such action, but military action against Gaddafi will require the unqualified blessing of the UN. Otherwise it will be seen as intervention by the West and could be used to Gaddafi's advantage."

The revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia have shown that people have broken with their past and taken control of their destinies, writes philosopher and author Abdennour Bidar in the left-liberal daily Le Monde: » more

The revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia have shown that people have broken with their past and taken control of their destinies, writes philosopher and author Abdennour Bidar in the left-liberal daily Le Monde: "What is being expressed from the epicentre in Cairo is the end of resignation and the de-legitimisation of powers that impose their will on helpless subjects from above. To this evolution of consciousness, this existential revolution, is added today's political revolution. What died on Tahrir Square on February 11 is the old myth of Arab fatalism. ... The crowds in Cairo and Tunis are telling us that they have adopted a different Islam and a different attitude to their Islamic culture. They are telling us that they no longer live Islam as submission. ... These crowds are comprised of men and women who want to be recognised as legal subjects and are protesting in the name of a different free and unconstrained Islam."

According to newspaper reports, the US is considering military intervention in Libya if the country's leader Muammar al-Gaddafi continues to use violence against his own people. But the diplomatic options have not yet been exhausted, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: » more

According to newspaper reports, the US is considering military intervention in Libya if the country's leader Muammar al-Gaddafi continues to use violence against his own people. But the diplomatic options have not yet been exhausted, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: "The EU still has many possibilities for toughening its measures against Libya and other North African states before reaching the point at which military intervention becomes necessary. This would require more authorisations from the UN. Even imposing a no-fly zone over Libya would already be a highly demanding military manoeuvre. Nato's resources would certainly suffice for such action, but military action against Gaddafi will require the unqualified blessing of the UN. Otherwise it will be seen as intervention by the West and could be used to Gaddafi's advantage."

Numerous foreign ministers were preoccupied with the situation in Libya at Monday's meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the liberal weekly Respekt notes: » more

Numerous foreign ministers were preoccupied with the situation in Libya at Monday's meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the liberal weekly Respekt notes: "The dictator's struggle to cling to power in the face of the revolution against him has driven Libya to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. While the rich West deployed airplanes to quickly evacuate its citizens thousands of refugees who had left their own poor countries to work in oil-rich Libya are gathering at the country's borders. Foreign ministers from across the world are now seeking a way to prevent the disaster from spreading. But it's doubtful that they'll find a solution. Gaddafi's seat may be wobbling but it is still supported by many barrels of oil which the energy-poor West depends on."

Faced with rising oil prices Spain's government wants to cut down on petrol consumption. To this end it has temporarily reduced the maximum speed limit on its motorways from 120 to 110 kilometres per hour and made train tickets cheaper. The leftist daily Público suspects the government fears supply shortages: » more

Faced with rising oil prices Spain's government wants to cut down on petrol consumption. To this end it has temporarily reduced the maximum speed limit on its motorways from 120 to 110 kilometres per hour and made train tickets cheaper. The leftist daily Público suspects the government fears supply shortages: "Even if the government denies it, it seems to be afraid that the unrest in the oil-producing countries will lead to problems with supplies. ... If this is the case the measures it has approved are clearly insufficient. Of course it won't be enough to cut the price of travel on commuter trains by five percent if they went up by 3.1 percent only last December. What we need is a plan to support public transport, which is in the hands of the heavily indebted local authorities. There's not even enough money to economise."

The US and Europe are considering establishing a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent air attacks by the Libyan military. But such a move would be going too far, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more

The US and Europe are considering establishing a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent air attacks by the Libyan military. But such a move would be going too far, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "That would require a mandate from the UN Security Council allowing the use of force. China at the very least will object to such an unprecedentedly robust mandate. ... After all, this is a decision with political consequences. With a mandate for an air mission the question of power would be transferred abroad. But those who join in will not be able to wriggle out again should Gaddafi resist over weeks or even months, or in the event of a guerilla war. Then pressure would also mount to deploy ground forces. For the Arab rebellion movement this would provide proof that they can't depend on the benevolent neutrality of the West after all. Suddenly the West would be the third undesired party in what has until now been a clearly structured duel: those at the bottom against those at the top."

During the celebrations at Tahrir Square that followed the resignation of Hosni Mubarak on February 11, Lara Logan, a reporter for US news channel CBS, was beaten and sexually assaulted by a mob of 200 people. But for female journalists to stop working in such places is no solution to the problem, writes the weekly Sol's Tabu magazine: » more

During the celebrations at Tahrir Square that followed the resignation of Hosni Mubarak on February 11, Lara Logan, a reporter for US news channel CBS, was beaten and sexually assaulted by a mob of 200 people. But for female journalists to stop working in such places is no solution to the problem, writes the weekly Sol's Tabu magazine: "The most courageous act of this war reporter who is used to risking her life was to report this terrible rape. The Committee to Protect Journalists announced that last year 44 journalists were murdered because of their profession but has no data on the sexual assaults and rapes which journalists have been subjected to. By revealing the brutality of the mob Lara Logan brought witnesses of similar cases to the surface. ... However to stop using women as war correspondents would be a mistake. Women and children don't speak to male journalists. When women risk their lives we know that war is not just men's business."

Within a matter of days the UN Human Rights Council has unanimously condemned the violence of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi against the population, and recommended that Libya be suspended as a member. The daily Le Temps is delighted: » more

Within a matter of days the UN Human Rights Council has unanimously condemned the violence of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi against the population, and recommended that Libya be suspended as a member. The daily Le Temps is delighted: "Never has the UN's central human rights body been so credible or spoken so unanimously. The result is impressive. Within just a few days it has worked wonders, put its worst blunders behind it and silenced those conservative defenders of national sovereignty who have never stopped criticising it. The Arab Spring has now sprung in the Human Rights Council ... whose internal fronts seem to being crumbling away."

In the Gulf State of Oman demonstrators have also taken to the streets to protest against the authoritarian regime of Sultan Quaboos bin Said. The state visit of Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Maxima to Oman scheduled for next week should therefore be cancelled, the tabloid De Telegraaf urges: » more

In the Gulf State of Oman demonstrators have also taken to the streets to protest against the authoritarian regime of Sultan Quaboos bin Said. The state visit of Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Maxima to Oman scheduled for next week should therefore be cancelled, the tabloid De Telegraaf urges: "The Sultan is trying to calm the clamouring masses by waving wads of money, but this seems to be having little effect. The demonstrations against the regime threaten to spread further after an 'uprising for dignity and freedom' was announced for tomorrow. There is a danger that in such circumstances a royal visit from the Netherlands could get caught up in the maelstrom and be given a false interpretation. Cancelling the state visit won't just preserve the security of the royal family, but also the good name of our head of state."

The 15 members of the UN Security Council unanimously voted in favour of sanctions against Libya on Saturday. The Slovakian business paper Hospodárske noviny nonetheless doubts whether this will do much good: » more

The 15 members of the UN Security Council unanimously voted in favour of sanctions against Libya on Saturday. The Slovakian business paper Hospodárske noviny nonetheless doubts whether this will do much good: "The problem is that sanctions, resolutions or other threats have never induced dictators to listen. Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Miloševič were only stopped with persistent brute force. To this day resolutions have meant no more to Kim Jong-Il or Alexander Lukashenko than insignificant scraps of paper. Compared with all other dictators, Gaddafi is in a league of his own. He has survived many sanctions in the past, and in the end the world's leaders came back to him begging for forgiveness. The reason was clear - Gaddafi's oil and the billions of dollars it represented. The Western arms suppliers who'd been missing out on this business upped the pressure until the 20-year-long arms embargo was lifted in 2004. ... With that in mind the new weapons embargo comes across as a joke. The crisis in Libya highlights once again the world's inability to deal with people like Gaddafi."

In the wake of the bloody repression of the Libyan protests, the UN Security Council on Saturday voted unanimously in favour of sanctions against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. The daily Delo writes that the sanctions are entirely justified but doubts the United Nations will hold to them in view of Libya's many business ties with European countries: » more

In the wake of the bloody repression of the Libyan protests, the UN Security Council on Saturday voted unanimously in favour of sanctions against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. The daily Delo writes that the sanctions are entirely justified but doubts the United Nations will hold to them in view of Libya's many business ties with European countries: "It's hard to dismiss the feeling that not everyone is for the sanctions. Because Libya has become a valuable partner in past years - above all as a result of the lucrative oil, gas and weapons trade. The West is now at a crossroads in respect of the revolutions that have swept away the regimes in Tunisia and Cairo and which have now driven Libya to the brink of civil war. It was easy to talk business with corrupt dictators who created the false illusion of peace in the Middle East. ... But that's all over and done with. The new partners in dialogue are the voters and Arab civil society, which the West has mostly ignored until now."

In recent days petrol prices in Germany have climbed over 1.5 euros per litre. While the oil companies are blaming the Libya crisis the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung says that the oligopoly of the oil companies is really to blame: » more

In recent days petrol prices in Germany have climbed over 1.5 euros per litre. While the oil companies are blaming the Libya crisis the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung says that the oligopoly of the oil companies is really to blame: "The quantities that Gaddafi's crumbling regime can no longer supply are far too small. The last time petrol prices were so high in Germany was in 2008. But while back then the barrel of oil was costing around 150 dollars, now it's less than 110 dollars. ... But there is a global chumminess between governments and the oil industry. In some countries the entire branch is in the hands of the state. Other nations, including Germany, use petrol as a bountiful source of tax income and earn more when the petrol price rises. Last year in America the fatal ties between the oil industry and politics became clear for all to see. The powerful United States was almost powerless against oil giant BP when the latter polluted the Gulf of Mexico."

The upheaval in the Arab World resembles that in Eastern Europe 20 years ago. This prompts Bill Emmot, former editor-in-chief of The Economist, to write in the liberal daily La Stampa that some of the countries of North Africa belong in the EU: » more

The upheaval in the Arab World resembles that in Eastern Europe 20 years ago. This prompts Bill Emmot, former editor-in-chief of The Economist, to write in the liberal daily La Stampa that some of the countries of North Africa belong in the EU: "The EU has developed thanks to a series of ideas which seemed completely harebrained when they were first proposed, only to turn out to be indispensable later. The idea of enlarging the EU in the southern Mediterranean region could be just such an idea. ... Because just as happened after 1989, in the next months and years the great interests and historical possibilities that the Arab awakening offers Europe - for good or for bad - could emerge. ... The European states are already the most important trade partners of many North African countries today. ... Despite all the fears of instability and mass immigration, in the long term these ties will have to develop in one direction: the accession, whatever form it may take, of certain North African countries to the EU. ... The fall of the Berlin Wall teaches us that Europe has something really valuable to offer as an incentive for democratic reform: the possibility of uniting with the EU."

The freedom fight in the Arab world is garnering praise all over the world, but it has an unpleasant side-effect, the business paper Diário Económico notes: » more

The freedom fight in the Arab world is garnering praise all over the world, but it has an unpleasant side-effect, the business paper Diário Económico notes: "The beauty of the revolution has its price, and by no means a paltry one: 100 dollars. This is the average oil price since the beginning of the year - up to yesterday. On Thursday the barrel of Brent crude oil was trading at 120 dollars in London. The tensions in the Arab countries - the world's biggest exporters of black gold - are a fuse that is growing shorter and shorter and getting far too close to the powder keg. And the markets fear another oil shock like the five previous ones. ... It may be a small region at the centre of the tensions this time round but the impact will be far-reaching - all the way to Portugal."

As Libya's oil exports slow down and threaten to come to a standstill, the price for crude oil as well as petrol, diesel and fuel oil is rising. But rather than panic the time has come to transform the economy, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: » more

As Libya's oil exports slow down and threaten to come to a standstill, the price for crude oil as well as petrol, diesel and fuel oil is rising. But rather than panic the time has come to transform the economy, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: "The situation will calm down on the medium term because whoever comes to power in Libya will be eager to continue trading oil for dollars. In the long term however there will doubtless be new crises because oil comes mainly from countries whose political stability is not carved in stone. In addition demand - particularly in China and India - will grow faster than supply. A nice cocktail for new price shocks. Consequently the goal must be to continue unhinging the economy from oil - even if the price drops again. This goal is no Green dream, and even those sceptical of climate change would do well to pursue it. After all, self-protection is the best motivation."

There is one major difference between the revolutions in the former East Bloc and the current uprisings in the Arab World, writes the Romanian author Mircea Cărtărescu in the daily Evenimentul Zilei: » more

There is one major difference between the revolutions in the former East Bloc and the current uprisings in the Arab World, writes the Romanian author Mircea Cărtărescu in the daily Evenimentul Zilei: "The successive revolutions in the former socialist East Bloc - whether peaceful or bloody - were first and foremost directed at the system. The people wanted to topple the dictators because they saw in them the personification of the communist system. In the Arab World, the tyrants have no ideological baggage. They stand for ultra-authoritarian, cynical and autarkic governments, most of which are oil plutocracies. Very often they enjoyed Western support because they were viewed as a bullwark against Islamism. But now masses of poor rebels are calling for their downfall."

Thursday's plenary meeting between the EU Commission and the Russian government dealt among other topics with the Third Energy Package which comes into force in March. EU representatives want the package to prevent companies such as Russia's Gazprom from controlling pipelines in the EU, a proposal which Russia rejects. And it has every right to do so, writes the daily Delo: » more

Thursday's plenary meeting between the EU Commission and the Russian government dealt among other topics with the Third Energy Package which comes into force in March. EU representatives want the package to prevent companies such as Russia's Gazprom from controlling pipelines in the EU, a proposal which Russia rejects. And it has every right to do so, writes the daily Delo: "The European Union and the Russian government failed to reach a compromise at the meeting. But Russia's geopolitical situation gives it a greater chance of victory. Its biggest trump is the unrest in North Africa, where the EU has been buying more gas since the gas dispute with Russia two years ago. If natural gas supplies from North Africa are interrupted it is highly probable that European consumers will become even more dependent on Russia."